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Danielle Stella, Republican Challenger To Ilhan Omar, Accused Of Shoplifting At Target, Cub Foods

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Republican challenger to Democratic U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar is accused of shoplifting 279 items from a suburban Target earlier this year.

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A criminal complaint says Danielle Stella stole items valued at more than $2,000 from Target in January. She allegedly told police she doesn't remember anything after arriving at Target, due to post-traumatic stress disorder.

Danielle Stella (credit: Stella 2020)
Danielle Stella (credit: Stella 2020)

The Star Tribune reports Stella was arrested again in April after allegedly stealing $40 in cat food from a Cub grocery store. A police report says she told an officer she forgot to pay.

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In a text to The Guardian, Stella said she's innocent until proven guilty, and if she were guilty, she'd never run for public office.

Stella is a 31-year-old special education teacher and President Donald Trump supporter. She has gained attention for social media posts referencing QAnon, a far-right conspiracy theory.

(© Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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