Bakersfield, California — The Kern County District Attorney’s Office announced that a man was convicted of receiving and attempting to sell stolen property, including a lawnmower and a dirt bike, and now faces several years in prison.
Michael Lee Pullings was convicted of two counts of receiving stolen property worth more than $950.
In March 2024, a victim was notified that a gate on her property was open, and she later discovered that her padlock had been cut and her industrial lawnmower, valued at $2,800, was missing.
The victim’s gardener reported that the stolen lawnmower was listed for sale by Pullings for $1,300.
Detectives from the Kern County Auto Theft Task Force met with Pullings and confirmed the serial number of the lawnmower. Pullings was subsequently arrested.
In October 2024, an unrelated victim reported that her Honda CRX dirt bike, valued at $4,000, and two Honda lawnmowers were stolen from her property.
Prosecutors claim Pullings placed an advertisement for the stolen dirt bike. A detective posing as a potential buyer met with Pullings at a park to verify the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The VIN matched the stolen property reported by the victim, so Pullings was arrested.
When questioned about the incidents, Pullings provided inconsistent statements. According to the DA. Pullings has previous theft convictions, including a strike offence for first-degree residential burglary.
“Pullings is a serial thief whose previous offences show a flagrant disregard for the law. Pullings, a prior strike offender and habitual criminal, is facing harsher penalties that are critical to maintaining public safety,” stated Kern DA Cynthia Zimmer.
He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 25, 2025. Pullings faces a maximum sentence of seven years and four months in prison due to his prior convictions.
