2 arrested following vehicle plate theft, shoplifting

Female suspect is still on the lam

2 arrested following vehicle plate theft, shoplifting

Deputies still searching for female suspect.

#MasonCountyCrime.

LUDINGTON — Two suspects accused of stealing a license plate from a vehicle in the Walmart parking lot, along with shoplifting multiple items from the store, have been arrested after they returned to the scene of the crime. 

On Saturday, Aug. 24, Mason County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to Walmart, 4854 W. US 10, Pere Marquette Township, for a reported stolen license plate. The victim had returned from Walmart and noticed the license plate missing from the victim’s vehicle. 

The 43-year-old male suspect

A deputy reviewed security video at Walmart and identified two suspects, a male and female, who were suspected of stealing numerous items from the store, according to Sheriff Kim Cole. (See related story here).

Walmart personnel and the public were alerted of the theft. 

At 2:14 p.m. deputies were called back to Walmart, when the suspects returned to the sore, Cole said. 

“A Mason County Deputy immediately responded and stopped the suspect vehicle attempting to leave the parking lot with the reported stolen plate affixed to the vehicle,” Cole said.

Deputies arrested the driver, a 43-year-old Holland man, for larceny, obstructing, receiving and concealing stolen property.  A 33-year-old Muskegon man, who was riding in the suspect vehicle, was arrested on a felony sex offender registry warrant out of Fruitport Township Police Department.  The female fled from the scene but has been identified. She has yet to be arrested. The Holland man refused to identify himself, but was identified later in the day through the investigation, Cole said.

Deputies recovered over 50 items of suspected stolen property; which included electronics, power tools, hand tools, fishing equipment, clothing and a second stolen vehicle registration, which was stolen out of Ottawa County.  Recovered property was found to be missing from Lowe’s ($1,200) and Home Depot ($250) as well as Walmart.

The report will be forwarded to the Mason County Prosecutor’s Office for review and possible additional charges. Following arraignments, MCP will post the names of the suspects and the formal charges. 

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