Associated Press

BAY CITY, Mich. — This marriage engagement is off to a rocky start.

Police say a 25-year-old man proposed marriage to a 20-year-old woman at a Bay City Wal-Mart store in front of employees and other shoppers who congratulated them on Dec. 30.

But that same night, William Cornelius Jr. later was accused of shoplifting at a nearby store and arrested. The items included an edible thong. The Bay City Times, citing court records, says his fiancee admitted that stolen jewelry was in her possession.

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Cornelius was arraigned Tuesday on a misdemeanor charge. He couldn't be reached for comment Thursday. No phone number is listed.

The newspaper says investigators confirmed that Cornelius bought an engagement ring at Wal-Mart for $29.