Armed Robberies for Cupcakes, Smokes and Cash Could Bring 230 Years in Prison

A homeless Montgomery County man faces 230 years in prison after being charged in a string of armed robberies that netted cupcakes, cigarettes and cash.

The suspect, Kiarre Sanders, 40, allegedly pointed a handgun at store employees and customers in multiple robberies this month, police told WJLA TV. Sanders faces 13 criminal charges; if convicted, he could face 231 years in prison.

One of the more recent incidents happened about 7:20 p.m. on Jan. 18, at Chicago Bakery in Wheaton. Police told the TV station that the suspect entered the pastry shop and ordered two cupcakes, then pulled out a black handgun and told the manager, "Shut up and give me the money."

Shop manager Andrea Romero-Rivas ran to the back of the store, screaming for help. "I saw the gun and I was terrified. I just felt like, 'This is it, I'm done,'” she told ABC7.

The station says Montgomery County Police earlier in the month responded to weapons involving the same suspect at Wheaton BP, Elbe's Beer & Wine and other shops. One robbery netted the suspect $77, another theft cost a business $1,500.

Montgomery County placed plainclothes police officers throughout downtown Wheaton, WJLA says, and officers arrested Sanders on Jan. 21.

>>Watch the full story on WJLA at: http://www.wjla.com/articles/2014/01/homeless-man-faces-230-years-behind-bars-for-armed-robberies-99...