This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
A state lawmaker in Connecticut who voted to ban one-time use shopping bags from stores has been arrested for shoplifting, and he blames the lack of shopping bags in the store.
It is state Rep. Raghib Allie-Brennan, chief majority whip of the Connecticut House and co-chair of the state's LGBTQ+ caucus, who is in trouble.
He explained in a statement that he was in Target, and "two items in my armload of others were not scanned."
He explains he was "in a rush to bring items to my grandmother in the hospital, the store didn't have bags, and I was juggling multiple purchases."
He said it was an "error" and he's "working through the legal processes."
A report from a local NBC affiliate said it happened in Bethel, and "police say it isn't the first time it has happened."
Police charged he tried to leave the store without paying for $26.69 in merchandise, and "he was also recognized by loss prevention for prior unreported larcenies."
Store security video showed him attempting to leave the store without paying for the items.
Comments on social media were not sympathetic:
"I like the way he threw the hospitalized grandma in there. Nice touch."
"'Guys I accidentally stole for the 30th time I'm just so clumsy.'"
"'I was on my way to feed unicorns. I was helping a 3 legged dog cross the street. My dog ate the receipt.'"
Libs of TikTok on social media confirmed the Democrat voted in 2019 to ban stores from giving single-use shopping bags.
