UMVA has learned that a shocking act of vandalism has struck a beloved bakery in Washington, leaving a trail of destruction and fear in its wake.
Charles Joseph Ali, a 28-year-old man from Rockville, Maryland, has been arrested and charged with felony destruction of property for allegedly hurling a metal beer keg through the front window of Georgetown Cupcake, a popular bakery made famous on a reality TV series.
The bakery, located at the intersection of M and 33rd Streets, was left reeling from the attack, which occurred on Sunday night. The owners, Sophie LaMontagne and Katherine Berman, sisters who quit careers in finance and fashion to launch the family business, were shaken but determined to keep their shop open.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Ali's rampage began earlier in the evening when he tried and failed to rip up a metal trash can from the curb. He then went around the corner, returned with a keg from a nearby home, and smashed it through the bakery window.
A lone female employee came face-to-face with the attacker around 11:30 p.m. and fled to the back of the shop, afraid of what he might do. Surveillance video shows that Ali left the scene after breaking the window, but not before causing significant psychological damage to the employee, who remains shaken.
The bakery, which was featured on a popular reality TV show for three seasons, is known for its long lines and devoted customer base. Despite the attack, the owners are committed to continuing their business as usual, reopening just hours after the incident with a plywood board covering the shattered window.
The suspect's actions have been widely condemned, with Berman saying that he showed a blatant disregard for respect, property, and the well-being of others. Ali is also suspected of involvement in an April vandalism incident involving another business, which remains under investigation.
