A Williamsport man has been charged with alleged theft and related offenses for not delivering $7,756.50 in t-shirts and decals to the Lycoming County 9/11 Memorial Coalition for the annual motorcycle ride.

Michael Allen Ritter, 36, was charged with theft by deception – failure to correct, theft by unlawful taking – moveable property and deceptive business practices – false and misleading statement, according to an affidavit by State Trooper Gary Kunkle.

Thomas Baird on May 29 had contracted Ritter, owner of Mike’s Custom Apparel, to have 500 custom apparel t-shirts made for the 9/11 Coalition motorcycle ride, which begins at the Clinton Township Fire Department on Route 54.

Baird paid the amount in full for the t-shirts totaling $7,456.50 up front. A written statement was given to Baird that the apparel order would be completed by Aug. 1 or he would receive a refund for the total amount with no questions asked from the business.

On Aug. 20, Baird reported the incident to a trooper in the State Police barracks lobby, saying the t-shirts were never made and Baird was not able to obtain a refund as stated.

Baird related to the trooper that Ritter had not been answering his phone or his residence door when Baird attempted to see why he never received even one T-shirt out of the 500 promised to the 9/11 coalition, which is out $7,456 for the t-shirts and another $300 for decals.

Arraignment is pending with a warrant issued Tuesday, according to Assistant District Attorney Martin Wade.

The affidavit was obtained at the office of District Judge Kristen A. Gardner in Muncy Creek Township.

The coalition’s main fundraising each year is through sale of apparel and merchandise.

Every Sept. 11, thousands of motorcyclists embark on a “rolling memorial” ride through 42 miles and 14 municipalities of Lycoming County. The coalition began its first ride four days after the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001. It recently held the 23rd annual ride and were informed at the pre-ride service of the non-delivery of the fundraising apparel by the local business.

Riders are never charged an entry fee, said Thomas “Tank” Baird, coalition co-founder.