Norwalk Man With 33 'Priors' Charged With Shoplifting

On March 15, police responded to Stop & Shop on East Main Street to assist store personnel with an alleged shoplifter in custody.

Upon arrival, police were told by a Stop & Shop associate that he observed an older male scanning merchandise through the self-scan register. The store official watched as the person, identified as Gary Rabb, 54, of Norwalk, scanned $322.72 worth of merchandise, bagged it and then left the store without paying for any of the items, police said.

The store official stopped Rabb outside the store and asked him to come back inside, which Rabb did without incident.

Police took Rabb to headquarters where a background check showed 33 prior arrests including larcenies, escapes, burglaries, robberies and failure to appear charges.

Among the items stolen were deli meats, health and beauty aids, meats, produce, various grocery items, liquid detergents and two packs of shrimp. Rabb told police that he “was set up,” as he was given a grocery list to purchase these items but the “woman never came back to pay for them.”

Rabb gave police no more information on the identity of the woman and was charged with sixth-degree larcency. Bond was set at $500 and Rabb is scheduled to appear in court on March 25.

While in custody, Rabb complained of lightheadedness due to his diabetes condition. EMS personnel evaluated Rabb and determined his blood sugar to be very low. Rabb was transported to St. Vincent’s where he was seen and treated.

Upon treatment, Rabb was released from the hospital and transported back to headquarters, where he was placed in a cell pending the posting of bond.