NEWAYGO COUNTY, Michigan — A judge found the co-owners of Charlie's Family Grill in White Cloud guilty of arson in the fire that turned their business to ashes.
David Robinson, 50, was found guilty of arson of an insured real property.
His 30-year-old son, Ryan Robinson, was found guilty of arson of an insured real property (20 years) and two counts of false pretenses (15 years). The false pretense charges stem from the garage fire of up to $20,000 in damage and the restaurant fire of up to $100,000 in damage.
According to police, the duo were business partners and owners of Charlie's Family Grill at 276 S. Charles Street in White Cloud. The business was destroyed in a fire back on March 18, 2023.
In court, the White Cloud Fire Chief Joe Stratton said it felt as if his department was