Man with 19 convictions arraigned on theft-related charges.

Howard

Man with 19 convictions arraigned on theft-related charges.

#MasonCountyCrime

LUDINGTON – A 43-year-old Holland, Michigan man has been arraigned in 79th District Court on charges stemming from the thefts of several items from Ludington-area stores Saturday, Aug. 24, according to Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole.

Dennis Ray Howard has been arraigned on charges, which include receiving and concealing stolen property — $1,000 or more, which is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison; first-degree retail fraud —with a second-offense notice, which is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison; license plate forgery, which is a felony punishable by up to five years; second-degree retail fraud – with a second offense notice, which is a misdemeanor with a one-year maximum and fourth-offense habitual offender.

“Howard has 19 criminal convictions with 14 being theft-related,” Cole said. He remains lodged in the Mason County Jail on a $10,000 cash/surety bond.

Howard was one of two suspects arrested after they returned to the crime scene. A female suspect who fled from the scene has been identified, but has yet to be arrested.

Mason County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to Walmart on West US 10 in Pere Marquette Township for a reported stolen license plate.

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 Cole.

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 store, 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 – Howard. A 33-year-old Muskegon man, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was arrested on a felony sex offender registry warrant out of Fruitport Township Police Department.

Howard 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 include electronics, power tools, hand tools, fishing equipment, clothing and a second stolen vehicle registration from Ottawa County. Recovered property was found from Lowe’s valued at $1,200, Home Depot valued at $250 and Walmart.

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