Police: Sushi-Eating ShopRite Shoplifter a Bridgeport Man

Hamden Police have made an arrest in the case of the sushi-eating shoplifter at ShopRite that occurred last month.

Michael Zabivinik, 44, of 225 Golden Hill Road, Apartment 6H, Bridgeport, turned himself into police Tuesday in connection with the shoplifting incident that occurred on Nov. 12 at the store in the Hamden Plaza. He was charged with third-degree robbery and sixth-degree larceny.

A store security officer saw a man, described as a white male in his 40’s, walking in the store isles eating boxes of sushi, Smith said at the time of the incident. They then saw him leave the store with several additional boxes of sushi, he said. 

When a security officer approached the man, they got into a physical altercation and the man stole the security officer’s portable radio, Smith said. 

Police were able to get the video surveillance footage of the man from ShopRite, Smith said, and released it to the local media with the still images. 

"Within hours, a person who is familiar with the individual contacted police and identified him," Smith said.

Officer Shawn Nutcher submitted an arrest warrant application to the court for Zabivinik's arrest, Smith said.

Zabivinik posted $500.00 bond and is scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court on Dec. 13.