A Fairfield Connecticut father is accused of launching a racist tirade and tossing a beverage at a worker in a smoothie shop on Sunday after his son reportedly suffered an allergic reaction, police said.
James Iannazzo, 48, was arrested and charged with a hate crime following the wild scene at Robeks in Fairfield shortly before 2:30 p.m., according to the Fairfield Police Department.
The chaos began when Iannazzo returned home with a smoothie from the business that purportedly contained peanuts – causing the allergic reaction that sent his son to the hospital, police authorities said, “The irate father returned to Robeks and screamed at workers, demanding to know who made the smoothie containing the allergen”.
After an expletive-ridden outburst and employees not being able to give any answers, Iannazzo allegedly tossed a beverage at an employee and commented on the immigration status of another worker, cops said. He also allegedly tried to burst into an employees-only area. He was continuously asked to leave by employees.
The father fled the store before police arrived though was later arrested and admitted to officers that he went back to the store after becoming upset about his son’s severe allergic reaction.
Workers told investigators that Iannazzo asked for no peanut butter in the smoothie, but did not note the request was because of an allergy.
A Law Office has recently responded to the incident with a statement regarding James Iannazzo’s behavior and tirade.
“He started to call her racial slurs. He threatened to kill us multiple times,” said by Charli Hill, a high schooler and Robek’s worker. She continued, “I understand and we are sorry on behalf of Robeks for how the smoothie was made but it gives you absolutely no right to act out like that.”
Gianna Miranda was the teen who was hit by the smoothie, “It was kind of scary, I’m not going to lie because I’m like I don’t know his intention or what he was going to do.” Thankfully, Gianna did not sustain or report any injuries from the thrown beverage.
Iannazzo was charged with intimidation based on bigotry or bias, breach of peace and criminal trespass.
