From MLIVE
A Bay City man who stole some sex toys after proposing to his girlfriend in a Walmart has pleaded guilty as charged.
The day before his trial was to begin, 25-year-old William J. Cornelius Jr. on Wednesday, April 13, appeared before Bay County District Judge Timothy J. Kelly and pleaded guilty to one count of third-degree retail fraud. The charge is a 93-day misdemeanor.
The judge sentenced Cornelius to 91 days in jail, with credit for 91 days already served. Kelly also fined Cornelius $125.
Cornelius’ 20-year-old fiancée, Sheri C. Moore, remains charged with the same count. She is to appear before Chief District Judge Dawn A. Klida at 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 28, to accept or reject a plea offer.
The couple’s charges stem from an incident that happened Wednesday, Dec. 30. Their evening began with a visit to the Walmart at 3921 Wilder Road in Bangor Township, where Cornelius bought an engagement ring for $29.62. He then asked a customer service worker to read a proposal note over the public address system, asking Moore to marry him, according to police reports.
Before leaving Walmart, Moore allegedly stole a pair of gold earrings and a silver necklace with a star pendant, police reports indicate.
The couple then went to Spencer’s Gifts inside the Bay City Mall at 4101 E. Wilder Road, where Bay County sheriff’s deputies allege they stole a watch, an edible thong, a sex toy, panties, and sex candy valued at $80.93, police reports show. They fled the store before deputies’ arrival.
