Maple Lane hit a fourth time

The Huron County Sheriff's Office released this picture in connection with an investigation to a Monday, Feb. 13 breaking and enter- ing report. Courtesy photo BAD AXE - Thieves seeking to get a free high have broken into Maple Lane Discount four times since Christmas, and Huron County Sheriff Kelly J. Hanson said the problem will likely continue as long as the store continues selling an addictive, yet legal, drug.

Hanson said he has received criticism that his office continues to investigate break-ins at the store, located at 950 N. Van Dyke Road in Verona Township. But, Hanson said, it is his office's duty to respond to crimes, no matter who is the victim.

"As long as he keeps getting broken into, we have to answer those complaints," Hanson said.

Maple Lane Discount owner Robert Alent said he has every right to sell the legal product in his store.

"I have bills I have to pay. Retail business is tough. You sell what you can," Alent said. My job is to find products that people want to buy that there's a little bit of margin on."

He said he limits sales of bath salts and incense, which can also be smoked for an intoxicating high, to people over 21.

Alent said he began offering the bath salts because customers requested the product, and it is "by far" the most popular item in his store.

He plans to install a cage over the store's main entrance to prevent future break-ins.

"That's the weakest link, as far as entry," he said.

Hanson has another idea for how Alent can prevent future break-ins.

"You want to know what the answer is? Get (bath salts) out of there. That's the answer," Hanson said.

Alent said he believes only two people have committed the crimes at the store, and he doesn't feel it would be right to deprive his customers of a product they want because of the actions of a couple individuals.

Hanson said his department has increased surveillance of Maple Lane, but they can't watch the store 24/7.

The third break in since Christmas occurred on Saturday, Feb. 4.

According to the sheriff's office, video surveillance revealed that at 12:54 a.m., a masked individual broke out the entrance door's glass and entered the business. What is believed to be a male suspect, headed immediately for a display cabinet, which contained bath salts.

The suspect gained entry by beating the acrylic safety glass out of it and took approximately five packs of "bath salts" valued at $110 total. He then exited the building. The incident took place in less than one minute.

From what is viewed in the surveillance video, the suspect appeared to be wearing a blue or purple ski mask pulled down, a hooded jacket, which has a large plaid design of green or gray squares and white lines, white, pajamastyled pants, with large blotches of black, and, possibly, a foam, clog-style slip-on shoe.

The fourth break in occurred Monday, Feb. 13, This latest incident occurred around 1 a.m. and resulted in over $200 of damage to a glass door and $135 worth of bath salts being taken. One 250 mg packet was recovered outside of the business.

From surveillance video, one suspect of average build entered the business wearing what appeared to be a dark, pullover hoody, a gray-colored ski mask and light-colored, possibly jean-type, pants. The pants were baggy and the legs were frayed. They also appeared to have a ripped right pant leg. Evidence was gathered at the scene and leads are being followed.

The first breaking and entering resulted in approximately $340 worth of stolen bath salts. The second breaking and entering occurred on Monday, Jan. 23.

Anyone with information may call the Sheriff's Office at 989-269-6500 during regular business hours or Dispatch at 989-269-6421 anytime or the Confidential Tip Line at 989-269-2861 anytime.

According to the sheriff, a suspect, Jason Robert Williams, 27, Bad Axe, was arrested on Saturday, Feb. 4 by the Huron County Sheriff's Office and was released on Sunday, Feb. 5, after posting $350 bond. Huron County Prosecutor Tim Rutkowski said a pretrial has been conducted and a preliminary exam scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 15.