Man hurls beer keg through Georgetown Cupcake window; owners post surveillance asking public for help
Surveillance video shows a man lifting and throwing a metal beer keg through the plate‑glass storefront of Georgetown Cupcake around 11 p.m. Sunday; owners Sophie LaMontagne and Katherine Berman shared the footage and urged the public to contact police.
- Deliberate vandalism: A man in a green T‑shirt and tan pants threw a beer keg through the shop’s front window, captured on multiple surveillance angles.
- Owners shared footage: Sisters and co‑founders posted clips and asked the public to provide tips to MPD.
- Employees at risk: Staff were inside during the incident; owners warned employees “could have been seriously injured.”
- How to help: Tip line at 202‑730‑1903 or MPD’s website for submitting information.
What happened
When: Around 11 p.m. on Sunday.
Where: Georgetown Cupcake, 3301 M Street NW (33rd and M Streets), Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
What: A man carrying a metal beer keg hurled it through the plate‑glass front window, shattering the storefront and scattering glass and debris.
Suspect description: Male, wearing a green T‑shirt and tan pants; seen struggling to lift the keg before throwing it. The act was captured on both outside and inside surveillance cameras.
What the video shows
Video shared by the bakery shows the suspect walking up the sidewalk carrying a metal beer keg, pausing directly in front of the shop window, struggling to hoist the keg over his head, then throwing it at the glass, which explodes inward. The posted clips include vantage points from outside and inside the shop.
Owners’ note: In their post on X the owners wrote employees were inside and that staff “could have been seriously injured,” using the footage to urge anyone who recognizes the man to contact police.
The owners and the shop’s profile
Georgetown Cupcake was founded and is run by sisters Sophie LaMontagne and Katherine Berman. The business rose to national prominence via the TLC/Discovery show “DC Cupcakes” (circa 2010–2013) and remains a high‑profile M Street destination attracting local and tourist foot traffic.
The owners have long used visible cameras and public streaming around the shop, which explains the clear surveillance footage and the quick public posting. See the Georgetown Cupcake’s X account and the bakery’s website for their official posts and background.
Police response and investigation
D.C. Metropolitan Police (MPD) have been asked to investigate and have publicly appealed for information. At the time the footage was shared there was no public report of an arrest or the suspect’s identity.
Anyone with tips is asked to call MPD at 202‑730‑1903 or submit information through the D.C. Metropolitan Police web page. Based on video alone the act appears deliberate and aimed at property damage; motive and whether the keg was full remain unknown.
Safety concerns and employee risk
Owners emphasized the danger from flying glass and debris. Even without physical injuries, the incident highlights risks for small businesses with staff working late shifts. The owners framed their public plea with wordplay—calling the act “a crumby thing to do” and hoping the vandal gets his “just desserts.”
Context and a note on inaccurate references
The footage and owners’ appeal appear amid broader concern about public disorder in parts of D.C., with other recent incidents cited in coverage. One circulated in some early reports: an incorrect reference to “U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro” as the D.C. U.S. Attorney. That attribution is incorrect—Jeanine Pirro is a former judge and television host, not the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. Accurate attribution matters when crime stories inform public debate and policy responses.
Past coverage of the bakery
Georgetown Cupcake has appeared in news for non‑criminal matters as well: in 2022 the M Street location was briefly closed by local health inspectors over administrative licensing and food‑safety issues; violations were later corrected and the license renewed. For background, see the bakery’s website and their social channels such as Georgetown Cupcake’s X account.
How the public can help
The owners asked anyone who recognizes the man in the green shirt and tan pants, or who has other information, to contact MPD at 202‑730‑1903. Tips can also be submitted via the MPD’s official website. Nearby businesses are encouraged to review and share any camera footage that shows the suspect arriving or leaving.
Implications for The Inland Empire
Although the incident occurred in Georgetown, owners and local businesses in regions such as the Inland Empire can draw lessons about storefront vulnerability, employee safety, and community responses. The episode underscores practical, political, social and cultural implications for small commercial corridors.
Economic impact
Small businesses should review insurance, repair costs, and options to reinforce storefronts (laminated glass, security film, bollards). Security improvements mitigate damage but come with expense that owners must weigh.
Political consequences
For moderate civic audiences, the incident reinforces concerns about safe streets, law enforcement response, and prevention programs. Debates over juvenile crime and parental responsibility in D.C. could translate into local calls for balanced enforcement, youth outreach, and school‑community partnerships.
Social effects
The owners’ public plea may stir empathy among residents and business owners. Labor groups and business associations may press for grants, CCTV programs, or subsidized security upgrades to protect staff and customers.
Practical applications for residents and businesses
- Review and retain exterior camera footage long enough for investigators to retrieve it.
- Consider upgrades such as security film, shatterproof glazing, or bollards to keep people away from plate glass.
- Train employees on safe closing procedures and emergency response, stressing distance from windows during incidents.
- Coordinate with local law enforcement and establish direct contact points for urgent incidents and tip lines.
Reporting and follow‑up
This remains an active investigation. The owners’ video has been widely circulated and MPD is asking for tips. Updates may include identification or arrest of a suspect, or new footage from neighboring businesses. Sources include the Georgetown Cupcake’s X account, the bakery’s website, and the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department.
“Employees could have been seriously injured,” the owners wrote, urging anyone who recognizes the man to contact police.
