For the third time, police are investigating a break-in at the Sprout Fresh Food Store in Pontiac.
“We have a suspect in custody,” said Undersheriff Curtis Childs, adding that details would be released once that person is arraigned in court.
The tiny grocery store at 580 W. Huron St. opened in 2017 and sells produce from small farms and gardens around Oakland County.
Coleman Yoakum, Micah 6 Community executive director and store co-owner, said he was notified by an alarm at the store just before 9:30 p.m. Tuesday and called the police.
They found a smashed door and jam and an older iPad and the cash drawer that had been seriously damaged.
Yoakum said damages add up to about $1,000.
Micah 6 officials started taking precautions after earlier break-ins, he said.
“We don’t keep cash in the building overnight. We keep the keys in the lock on the cash drawer to encourage intruders to just open the drawer rather than smash it,” he said. “However, twice now, when the would-be thief finds nothing in the drawer, it would seem they throw it out of frustration.”
He and others at Micah 6 are also frustrated, he said, but undeterred.
“We understand that this kind of thing is part of doing business here, and that if we’re smart, we can continue to mitigate the risks and damages that come with supporting our community this way,” he said.
Micah 6 and Sprout are run by community members who, he said, “have a good track record of being good neighbors, but maybe not for the fellow who broke in.”
Tuesday’s incident, he said, is a reminder to reach out to serve more people in the surrounding area because “things are hard for a lot of people right now.”