BETHEL, CT — A Democratic state representative who voted in favor of banning single-use plastic bags in 2019 was arrested Monday evening for allegedly failing to scan items at a Target self-checkout.
Rep. Raghib Allie-Brennan, D-Bethel, was charged with misdemeanor larceny after Bethel police say he neglected to pay for two items during checkout. The incident occurred at the Target on Stony Hill Road, according to local authorities.
In a statement Tuesday, Allie-Brennan acknowledged the arrest and called the incident unintentional. He said he had been using the self-checkout lane and failed to scan two items while in a rush. “I was in a rush and didn’t realize two items didn’t scan,” he said on social media. “I take full responsibility.”
The lawmaker’s 2019 vote for House Bill No. 7424, which included a provision banning retailers from providing or selling single-use plastic checkout bags after July 1, 2021, resurfaced online following the arrest. The measure aimed to reduce plastic waste and was supported by the majority of Connecticut’s Democratic legislators.
The highlighted portion of the bill states: “On and after July 1, 2021, no owner or operator of a store shall provide or sell a single-use checkout bag to a customer.” Some critics have drawn attention to the timing and irony of Allie-Brennan’s explanation, pointing to the law’s impact on in-store convenience.
Legislator faces court date after retail incident
Police have not released details on the value of the unscanned merchandise or whether surveillance footage corroborates Allie-Brennan’s explanation. The representative has not indicated whether he will contest the charge in court.
The Connecticut General Assembly has not issued a formal response regarding the arrest. Allie-Brennan has served in the state legislature since 2019 and represents parts of Bethel, Danbury, Redding, and Newtown.
As of Wednesday, no resignation or disciplinary action had been announced. Allie-Brennan said he intends to cooperate fully with the legal process.
