Thief still on probation from 1997 case lodged

A 33 year-old Traverse City man was arrested in Grand Traverse County on a Leelanau County Contempt of Court warrant Monday.  The bench warrant was issued by 13th Circuit Court for Matthew J. Bullard.

Bullard was convicted in 1998 for breaking into Mancino's Grinders and Pizza in Greilickville in December 1997.  Bullard, 17 at the time, and 3 other 17 year-olds broke into the business and stole nearly $1900 cash.  Leelanau County investigators identified the men after Mancino's manager said one of the men had quit employment there the previous day.  Some of the 4 were involved in numerous other break-ins in Leelanau and Grand Traverse Counties.

Bullard pleaded guilty to Receiving and Concealing Stolen Property over $100 in 1998 and has remained on probation since then because he was still paying off fines, costs and restitution.  Bullard had been making regular monthly payments but stopped doing so several months ago.  He remains lodged in the Leelanau County jail with a $1377.01 cash bond, the amount due to close out the case.