This story has been updated with new information.
Police in Genesee County recently arrested a sticky-fingered “bandit” who allegedly broke into a Grand Blanc bakery at least three times and stole cinnamon rolls, cash and other goods.
Genesee County County Prosecutor David Leyton said in a press release that William Quron Knott, 19, of Burton, will face six felony counts in connection with three break-ins.
The charges stem from reported break-ins at CinnaMom Bakery, 5015 S. Saginaw St. in Grand Blanc, on Nov. 16, Dec. 3 and Dec. 6, Leyton’s office said in a Dec. 9 release posted to Facebook.
In the Nov. 16 incident, food and drink items were stolen, along with an unknown amount of cash from the bakery’s tip jar and register, said Melissa Beatty, operations manager at CinnaMom Bakery. In the Dec. 3 and Dec. 6 cases, updated security allowed for a quicker response, so the defendant only damaged the bakery’s door and fled, Beatty said.
Knott was arraigned Wednesday in Genesee County 67th District Court, according to the prosecutor’s office. His next court date is Dec. 18.
According to the release, Grand Blanc Township Police said on Dec. 6 a CinnaMom Bakery alarm alerted them to a break-in and officers from the township, Grand Blanc and Michigan State Police responded to search for and arrest a suspect.
CinnaMom Bakery suffered property damage and the associated cost of repairs in the break-ins, Beatty said. The business has updated its security in the wake of the incidents.
Police used a ground search, drone surveillance and a Michigan State Police helicopter to find the defendant in the backyard of a home near the bakery, the prosecutor’s office said. When he was arrested, Leyton said, Knott had a handwritten note in his pocket that included the words, “Cinnamom Bandit.”
After the initial break-in the bakery developed a limited-time new cinnamon roll flavor, Monster-infused buttercream, inspired by the defendant having stolen cinnamon rolls and Monster energy drinks, CinnaMom said in a Nov. 21 Facebook post.
“The Cinnamon Roll Bandit inspired our newest flavor! Taking cinnamon rolls and Monster drinks, leaving the cash behind…maybe that’s all you need!,” the bakery said.
Social media users commented on the prosecutor’s post, poking fun at the case, calling the defendant “the sticky bandit.”
CinnaMom Bakery has received an outpouring of support from the community in the wake of the break-ins, from online social media comments to in-person visits to their Grand Blanc business, Beatty said.
Online court records show Knott faces charges of breaking and entering (two counts), malicious destruction of personal property up to $20,000 (two counts), possession of burglar tools, and resisting and obstructing an officer.
What is CinnaMom Bakery?
Shirley Welch created her recipe for cinnamon rolls and would make them for family and friends to enjoy, CinnaMom’s website said. Early on she had a little helper in the kitchen by her side, assisting with the baking process. This little helper would grow up to be the founder and owner of CinnaMom, Rebecca Nagy.
After retiring from her nursing career in 2013 Rebecca Nagy opened the first CinnaMom location in Lapeer.
Over the last few years CinnaMom has doubled the size of its main bakery in Grand Blanc, and is featured on QVC and many other digital platforms.
CinnaMom ships to anywhere in the United States and these CinnAmazing rolls are now available at over 60 locations from coast to coast in the United States. CinnaMom has been featured on ABC’s “Good Morning America” and “The View,” along with several other TV networks.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: ‘Cinnamom bandit’ charged in bakery break-ins. What we know
Reporting by Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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