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STAMFORD, Conn. A well-known Westchester County doctor was arrested in Stamford Wednesday night and charged with stealing candy at a Stamford movie theater.
Dr. Stuart Zweibel, 59, of Waccabuc, N.Y., was arrested shortly before 8:30 p.m. at Bow Tie Cinemas, 101 Broadway, and charged with sixth-degree larceny, according to Police Capt. Bill Mullin of the Patrol Division. Zweibel has been listed as a top dermatologic surgeon by magazines in New York and Westchester.
Mullin said Zweibel was released an hour later after posting a $2,500 cash bond. He is due in Stamford Superior Court July 27 at 10 a.m..
Mullin said Zweibel reached behind the counter on his way into the theater and took a $4.50 box of crunchy pretzel M&Ms before running into the movies.
"The theater manager [Kristina Aolston] called us to report the theft, and it was confirmed by a surveillance camera," Mullin said. "After he [Zweibel] was arrested, he offered to pay for the candy, but by then it was too late. The theft had already occurred. A lot of people try to pay for something after they are caught."
Mullin said Zweibel, a dermatologic surgeon at Westchester Health Associates who specializes in skin cancer, laser surgery and cosmetic surgery, was found in the movie theater and "positively identified" by the candy counter clerk as the man who took the candy.
Police said when Zweibel was first approached he denied taking the candy and said he "didn't understand" what was happening. The doctor initially refused to leave with police. Then, while three officers escorted him out, Zweibel fell and screamed, police said.
Police said Zweibel also stated he was a surgeon "for the past 40 [expletive] years," and asked them not to touch his arm.
"There's no way to know why someone of that stature would steal a package of candy," Mullin said. "All we can do is respond to the complaint, and if the evidence shows he likely committed the crime, then we have no choice but to arrest him."
Why do you think a prominent doctor would steal a $4.50 box of candy? Let us know in a comment below.
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