Investigation: Women says she was maced by NJ bakery owner while picking up free cake

BERLIN, New Jersey (WPVI) — A girl turned to the Motion Information Investigative workforce after she says a South Jersey bakery proprietor maced her over a dispute when she tried to choose up a cake she gained in a Fb promotion.

Motion Information started trying into the Popcorn Suite in Camden County after quite a few complaints flooded our investigative workforce inbox.

Prospects mentioned the proprietor, Wakeeta Rowe, didn’t ship baked items. Others accused the bakery of promoting desserts and donuts from different native shops whereas claiming they have been freshly baked.

Sharon Karbach mentioned her dispute occurred after she gained a free cake in a February Fb contest to advertise the brand new bakery.

“So I picked up the bag of popcorn and I held it from left to proper throughout my face,” mentioned Sharon Karbach, “and she or he really maced the bag of popcorn.”

Karbach mentioned she mutually scheduled with Rowe to choose up her cake in mid-March.

When she arrived at 100 Cross Keys Highway in Berlin, she mentioned the bakery proprietor instructed her it wasn’t prepared.

“She mentioned that I used to be impatient, I used to be ignorant and I did not deserve the cake,” recalled Karbach. “And I mentioned, ‘You simply wasted my time.’”

A dispute ensued and Karbach mentioned that is when Rowe maced her for not leaving the shop.

Karbach known as 911, however mentioned Rowe instructed police she was the sufferer.

“I began backing up in the direction of the door… like this girl’s loopy, like all this over a cake,” she added.

The alleged assault is considered one of numerous complaints.

“There may be not a cake we can not craft,” mentioned Wakeeta Rowe throughout a 6abc interview again in February.

However how a lot baking Rowe really does is in query.

The Popcorn Suite was set to be highlighted on a 6abc program when the investigative workforce started receiving complaints.

At the moment, she instructed an Motion Information producer: “We additionally craft a scrumptious cake donut. The advantage of cake donuts is that they’re lighter, much less energy than a fried donut.”

However our investigation discovered these “cake donuts” are literally made by a Lengthy Island baker by the identify of Hannah who did not need her final identify used.

Earlier than the settlement was finalized, Rowe allegedly went on Fb, claiming she made the “cake donuts,” in line with Hannah.

“Like do not say that you simply bake it in home. You possibly can say you supply this product, however do not say that you simply bake it as a result of that is mendacity for my part,” mentioned Hannah.

And Rowe was unable to recollect the very flavors of donuts when requested by our producer that she claimed to make.

“I can not bear in mind off the highest of my head… Let me take a look at my cellphone actual fast,” she mentioned.

And we discovered a cake being marketed on the Popcorn Suite’s Fb, which seems to be precisely like a cake on the shelf at Walmart.

Stephanie Spancake mentioned she made the invention.

“How a lot was that cake at Walmart?” requested Chad Pradelli.

“$12.99 and she or he was promoting it for $50 at her place,” mentioned Spancake.

And Oreo donuts marketed on the Popcorn Suite’s Fb web page look like from the well-known Beiler’s at Studying Terminal in Philadelphia.

Our 6abc cameras captured all types of Beiler bins within the Popcorn Suite.

“She got here in twice, 3 times per week typically,” mentioned Beiler. “She acquired a bunch of doughnuts, pies, desserts and we loaded up her van,” mentioned proprietor, Keith Beiler.

Beiler mentioned he did not thoughts if Rowe offered his product, he favored the cash.

Rowe declined our request for an on digital camera interview.

In a cellphone name, she admitted to Motion Information she buys from Beiler’s.

As for that Walmart cake, she says she buys from the identical provider as Walmart.

“Should you take a look at her Fb web page, she clearly states time and again that these are desserts produced from scratch,” mentioned Spancake.

The New Jersey Division of Client Affairs mentioned it is issued a stop and desist order because of the bakery’s failure to put up costs and a refund coverage.

Karbach has filed a grievance summons within the macing incident.

A listening to is about for subsequent week.

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