Brady turned himself in to Newark, Delaware, police on Tuesday after incidents in December 2021 and earlier this month. The December incident, which was previously unreported, involved an unidentified man leaving an Acme Markets store without paying for the items in his cart. The second event, which took place January 12, involved just under $200 worth of goods taken in a shopping cart at the same store. It is unclear how much was stolen in the December incident.
In the January incident, an employee at the Acme store recognized Brady from the December incident, according to news website First State Update.
“The employee then observed the male push a shopping cart full of merchandise past the registers and towards the exit of the store,” the Newark Police Department said in a statement. “The employee confronted the male as to his failure to pay for the merchandise. The male declined to pay for the merchandise, left the store and entered the vehicle for which the employee had recorded the license plate number.”
The arrest comes days after the Wilmington Democrat announced he will be stepping down as representative of Delaware’s 4th District. He attributed his decision to his post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
“The grim reality of this condition for those of us who live with it is long periods of silent suffering, which can be punctuated by episodes or conduct that may make little sense to people who do not understand the nature of PTSD,” wrote Brady in his announcement statement last Friday, according to radio station WDEL’s website.
He went on, “Recognizing the severity of this situation, I am taking steps to address these issues directly. I would ask anyone who knows someone who served to look after their loved ones and identify warning signs of PTSD and mental health issues. Early detection and intervention is critical.”
However, Delaware Online said sources told it that the shoplifting investigation played a part in Brady’s decision. In addition, he accidentally sent an email to a constituent with a derogatory term for Chinese women in June 2021. The incident sparked calls for his resignation by Asian American activists and fellow politicians.
“There is no excuse I can offer that explains my embarrassing and shameful words that insulted, stereotyped and dehumanized an entire culture while making light of a serious human rights crisis,” Brady said in a statement, according to WDEL.
Newsweek reached out to Brady for comment but did not receive a response before publication.
