Ludington couple arrested for stealing purse in Fruitport mall

Christopher Bailey

Tina Bailey

MUSKEGON COUNTY — A Ludington couple has been charged in connection to a purse stealing. Husband and wife Christopher Wayne Bailey and Tina Ann Bailey were arraigned in Muskegon County for allegedly stealing a 78-year-old woman’s purse June 22 in Sears at The Lakes Mall, MLive.com is reporting.

Christopher Wayne Bailey, 40, was arraigned in two separate felony cases Monday, Nov. 25: larceny in a building for the first and then three counts of stealing or retaining without consent a financial transaction device for the second. All the charges are maximum four-year felonies.

Tina Anne Bailey, 33, is charged with larceny in a building as her husband’s co-defendant. MLive.com reported she has not been charged in the “financial transaction device” case, according to court records.

According to an MCP search, the couple last lived on Court Street in Ludington but had also resided at 110 S. Taylor Road in Branch Township last winter.

Muskegon County 60th District Judge Harold F. Closz III set Christopher Bailey’s total bond at $35,000 cash or surety, Tina Bailey’s at $15,000. A preliminary examination in both cases is set for 10 a.m. Dec. 9.

The 78-year-old woman reported her purse was stolen while she was at Sears last June. The Fruitport Township Police Department conducted an investigation which led them to Mason County, resulting in the arrests of the Baileys Friday, Nov. 22, after search warrants were executed.

The Baileys allegedly took the woman’s purse and then used her credit cards at another store, the Wesco station at 3090 E. Colby Road in Whitehall Township, according to court documents.

Fruitport Township Police Detective Lt. Bruce Morningstar said Fruitport Township is working with other police agencies to determine whether the Baileys are connected with additional crimes in Muskegon County.

In January 2013, Tina Bailey was sentenced to 25 days in the Mason County jail after she was found guilty in Mason County’s 79th District Court for retail fraud third degree in connection to a Nov. 21, 2012 arrest by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office. She was also arrested July 26, 2013 by Mason County Sheriff’s Office for second degree retail fraud.

Christopher Bailey was found guilty on Aug. 21, 2012 in 79th District Court for Domestic Violence. He was sentenced to 13 days jail. At that time, his residence was listed as Victory Township.