Hart restaurant owners found guilty of burning down White Cloud restaurant

August 14, 2025

– Facebook photo of the Hart restaurant

WHITE CLOUD — The owners of Charlie’s Family Grill on Polk Road in Hart were found guilty by a jury Wednesday, Aug. 13, of burning down their White Cloud restaurant.

A jury rendered guilty verdicts in Newaygo County’s 27th Circuit Court for Ryan Allen Robinson, 32, and his father David Joseph Robinson, 52.

The son was found guilty of one count of arson of insured property and two counts of false pretenses $20,000-$50,000, according to court records. The father was found guilty of one count of arson of insured property. 

The restaurant burned down March 18, 2023.

A felony conviction of arson of insured property is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and a felony of false pretenses $20,000-$50,000 carries a 15-year maximum.

Sentencing for both men before Judge Robert Springstead is set for Nov. 3. They are both currently out on bond, according to court records. 

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