Father and Son Convicted in Charlie’s Family Grill Arson Case

Back In March 2023, a fire tore through Charlie’s Family Grill in White Cloud, destroying the family restaurant.

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Investigators were able to determine that the fire was intentionally set, noting that it started in multiple locations inside the building and spread rapidly, which raised red flags for arson.

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As investigators and state police dug deeper, they determined that the fire was part of a plan to cash in on insurance money rather than an accident.

The building carried a large insurance policy, and prosecutors said the Robinsons were facing financial pressure and saw the fire as a way out.

The case went to trial and in August 2025, jurors found both David and Ryan Robinson guilty of arson of insured property for burning down Charlie’s Family Grill.

Ryan was additionally convicted of two counts of false pretenses related to the insurance claims for up to $100,000 in damage to the restaurant and up to $20,000 in damage to the garage.​

In late November, Judge Robert Springstead ordered Ryan Robinson to serve five-and-a-half to 20 years in prison.

In December 2025, David Robinson returned to the same courtroom and was sentenced to just under three years in prison for the arson.

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