Return of the 'butter tart bandit' at downtown Windsor grocery store?

A downtown Windsor grocery store owner is frustrated after a sixth break-in in less than two years.

Vern Myslichuk said a butter tart bandit struck again at La Vern’s Market. The latest break-in was at 1:47 a.m. on Wednesday.

"I'm speaking on behalf of other people more so than even myself, that it would be very discouraging and disheartening because in a new business, it takes several years to get off the ground and to experience these costs up front. This would terminate your business. it would be very frustrating and discouraging and hard to move forward from here," said Myslichuk.

He posted about the incident on social media.La Vern's Market security camera on Jan. 4, 2023. (Source: Vern Myslichuk)

“Butter Tart Bandit, after a tally this is our discovery. Worth a broken window and jail, although very clear the tarts are fabulous,” he posted.

Myslichuk said this is what he took:

• 13 single tarts=$19.37
• 1 six pack tarts=$7.15
• 6 twin pack tarts =$10.62
• Total value=$37.14

Myslichuk told CTV News that the replacement cost for the window is $2,500.

"It’s very disheartening to know that somebody broke into a week could ago. My understanding was arrested charged, and obviously released and has the nerve and have the audacity to just do it again, and think nothing of it. And it's really mocks the city, mocks obviously at the store. You know, it clearly looks as though it's the same person because butter tarts again, were back on the table. And I think that this is sort of a slap in the face to the city. When you know the same person has the nerve to do it, twice in a row within a week," he said.

The suspect in the security camera video appeared to smash the front door window with a rock, grab the items and leave.

Myslichuk said new 3M windows should help deter break-ins.

“We've been told that it's virtually impossible to break through that. So we're hoping that there'll be some attractive alternatives to at least turn, but I think that the bigger picture isn't just deterring, I think we need to have a better plan that, there has to be bigger consequences," he said.

After a previous break-in on Dec. 20, Myslichuk said staff also contacted Windsor police and filed a police report.

With files from CTV's Rich Garton.