Democrat cuffed again after shoplifting at same Target, faces calls to resign
A Connecticut Democrat has been busted twice for shoplifting at the same Target store.
State Rep. Raghib Allie-Brennan turned himself in to cops on July 28 after a warrant was issued on new shoplifting charges involving the same store where he was previously arrested in June.
Allie-Brennan, 33, was caught allegedly failing to scan $26.69 worth of merchandise at Target's Bethel location. At the time, he told authorities he was rushing to bring the items to his grandma in the hospital.
Allie-Brennan is facing calls to step down over the accusations.
Raghib Allie-Brennan / Facebook
'I've been upfront about taking responsibility for my actions,' Aliie-Brennan said in a statement.
'I'm taking accountability and look forward to continuing my work on behalf of our community.'
Store staff told cops they recognized the four-term lawmaker from 'previous unreported larcenies,' according to the CT Mirror.
In the arrest warrant affidavit for the second incident, a Target security guard said they observed Allie-Brennan 'concealing items into the Goodfellow bag that he had selected.'
The total value of the allegedly unpaid items in that case was $54.55, the Hartford Courant reported.
Allie-Brennan was released on a promise to appear in state Superior Court on Aug. 5.
Republicans in Connecticut have called for Allie-Brennan's resignation.
'It is regrettable that, once again, a Democrat member of the Connecticut General Assembly has found themselves in handcuffs and subject to criminal prosecution,' said Connecticut Republican State Chairman, Ben Proto.
'In light of these allegations, Representative Allie-Brennan should step down from his position.'
Target security staff told police they recognized the politician from previous incidents.
Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
On July 3, Allie-Brennan addressed the first incident in a Facebook post, saying he had applied for Accelerated Rehabilitation, a court program for first-time offenders that allows charges to be dismissed after completing conditions set by the court.
'I am taking responsibility for all of my actions and participating in a program to address my behavior seriously and constructively,' he wrote.
Allie-Brennan told The Post that both charges are now being handled under the same application for Accelerated Rehabilitation.
House Speaker Matt Ritter, a Democrat, said he has spoken with Allie-Brennan and expressed concern about his troubling behavior.
'Raghib will take some personal time away from the legislature over the next month to deal with the legal, political and personal ramifications,' he said.
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