Doughnut-eating champion caught 'breaking into doughnut shop'

A convicted burglar who once triumphed at a doughnut-eating contest has been arrested once again on suspicion of breaking into a doughnut shop.

Bradley Hardison was identified as prime suspect in a number of break-ins when he became a minor celebrity for winning a police-sponsored doughnut-eating competition in 2014.

But after serving a three year suspended jail sentence for his crimes, the 27-year-old has been arrested again for breaking into a doughnut shop in Elizabeth City, Virginia, local media reported.

Hardison was charged on Thursday with stealing from a Dunkin’ Donuts shop in November.

The Elizabeth City Police Department said he had been charged with breaking and entering, safe cracking and theft.

Hardison became a local celebrity four years ago after beating police officers and firefighters to devour eight Krispy Kreme glazed doughnuts in two minutes. Prior to his doughnut win, police had been searching for Hardison for months as a suspect in at least three break-ins dating back to 2013.

It is not known what he actually stole during his latest break-in, the Associated Press reported.

Hardison, is being held under a £5,035 ($7,000) bond for the latest charges.