Connecticut man arrested for throwing smoothie at Robeks employee, referencing ‘immigration status’ in incident captured on TikTok
A Connecticut man was arrested after hurling a smoothie at an employee and repeatedly shouting profanities during a heated incident at a Robeks drinks store, police said.
The man, identified as 48-year-old James Iannazzo, purchased a smoothie at the location in Fairfield on Saturday, then allegedly returned shortly afterward and claimed the drink contained peanuts, causing his son to have an allergic reaction, according to the Fairfield Police Department.
“Iannazzo also made comments toward an employee referencing their immigration status,” police said.
The incident was captured on video and went viral on a TikTok account that has since been made inactive. The video had 14 million views on the social media platform, according to local news station WTNH.
Police say Iannazzo’s son was taken to a local hospital after emergency officials were called to the scene.
Iannazzo allegedly asked which employee made the smoothie after he returned to the Robeks store.
“When employees could not provide Iannazzo with the answer he became irate, yelling at the employees using a number of expletives,” police announced.
“He then threw a drink at an employee, which hit their right shoulder. The employee reported that they had no complaints of pain or injury.”
Employees repeatedly told Iannazzo, who is from Fairfield, to leave the store as he screamed at the staffers, police said.
Iannazzo later turned himself in to authorities, and was arrested on intimidation based on bigotry or bias, criminal trespass and breach of peace charges.
