Georgetown Cupcake vandalized by man who hurled beer keg through front window; owners post surveillance asking public for help
Georgetown Cupcake in Washington D.C. was vandalized late Sunday when a man hurled a beer keg through the shop’s front window; owners posted surveillance on X and asked the public to help identify the suspect.
- Window shattered: A man lifted and threw a beer keg through the front glass of the bakery at about 11 p.m.; the keg remained inside.
- Suspect on video: Surveillance shows a man in a green T-shirt and tan pants struggling to lift the keg before hurling it and walking northbound on 33rd Street NW.
- Police response: Metropolitan Police Department treated the incident as property damage; no injuries reported and no arrests to date.
- How to help: Anyone with information should call MPD tips at 202-727-9099 or contact Detective Ricardo Leiva at 202-730-1903.
What happened
Timeline and scene: About 11 p.m. Sunday a man approached Georgetown Cupcake at 33rd and M Streets NW, picked up a beer keg, lifted it and threw it through the bakery’s front window. The impact shattered the glass, knocked over interior shelving and left the keg inside the shop.
Employees were on-site during the incident; owners emphasized the risk that staff could have been seriously injured.
“Employees were on-site and could have been seriously injured,” owners Sophie LaMontagne and Katherine Berman wrote on X. One owner called the act “a crumby thing to do,” stressing both the danger and senselessness of the vandalism.
Suspect description and police response
- Appearance: Seen wearing a green T-shirt and tan pants.
- Behavior: Captured carrying a keg, struggling to lift it, then forcefully hurling it through the front window and walking northbound on 33rd Street NW.
- MPD response: Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) responded and classified the case as property damage; investigators are canvassing for footage and witnesses.
Investigation details and what police are seeking
Detectives are reviewing the owners’ posted surveillance footage and seeking additional camera angles and witnesses from nearby businesses. Investigators will try to trace the origin of the keg and determine whether the act was random or targeted.
If you have information: Call the MPD anonymous tip line at 202-727-9099 or Detective Ricardo Leiva at 202-730-1903. Anyone who saw the suspect in the area before or after the incident is urged to come forward.
Owners’ perspective and business impact
Founders Sophie LaMontagne and Katherine Berman — sisters known for the series “DC Cupcakes” — shared interior and exterior surveillance on Georgetown Cupcake X account asking followers to help identify the man. They described both a financial burden and an emotional toll, underscoring concerns about employee safety, potential temporary closures for repairs, and reputational impact.
Context and wider attention
The incident drew attention because Georgetown Cupcake is a well-known local business with national visibility. Public interest centered on worker safety and storefront security, especially given other recent youth-related disturbances in the city and historic nearby incidents that have raised local safety concerns.
Implications for Huntington Beach, California
Local businesses should note: Small storefronts and tourist corridors can be vulnerable to single acts of vandalism that threaten staff safety and disrupt operations. Owners are encouraged to review after-hours security, lighting and camera coverage.
- Crime perception: Such incidents may prompt calls for stronger law enforcement and community accountability.
- Prevention strategies: Improved street lighting, coordinated camera networks and police-business partnerships can help deter and solve similar incidents.
- Practical steps: Report suspicious activity quickly, preserve security footage, and share tips with law enforcement.
Source notes and contact information
Owners shared footage and requests via their social channels; readers can view updates on the Georgetown Cupcake official website and on the Georgetown Cupcake X account. The Metropolitan Police Department confirmed the property-damage response and shared guidance for tips.
Times Media Service coverage: Times Media Service.
Tip contacts: MPD anonymous tip line 202-727-9099; Detective Ricardo Leiva 202-730-1903. Note: an early reported contact email (RICARDO.LEIVA@DIC.GOV) likely contains a typo and may have been intended as a D.C. government address.
Final note
If you recognize the man in the footage or have relevant information, please contact MPD at 202-727-9099 or Detective Ricardo Leiva at 202-730-1903 — your tip could help hold the responsible party accountable and protect local workers and businesses.
