West Hartford Police have charged a local man after a series of overnight incidents that included vandalizing police equipment and Whole Foods property, and injuring a police officer.

Jared Schlar. Photo courtesy of West Hartford Police

By Ronni Newton

A West Hartford man is being held on a slew of charges after a series of overnight incidents that resulted in injury to a police officer and damage to property.

According to police, the incident began just after 2:30 a.m. Friday when patrol officers were finishing up a call about a suspicious vehicle in the west parking lot of Fernridge Park.

Police report that an individual, who has now been identified as Jared Schlar, 31, of Fernridge Road, approached officers and told them that he was “livestreaming” their activity. The officer shone a light on the man, confirmed that he was videotaping, and then left the area.

According to police, about 10 minutes later, at 2:42 a.m., a call was received through 911 from a man who said he was “Jared Schlar with Web Marketing LLC,” and was reporting that a “‘cop car’ performed ‘illegal activity’ at ‘Fern Park.'” The caller asked if police have “redundancy” and if his call was a “redundant call,” police said in their report.

Police report that the caller then remained silent for 25 seconds, and would not respond to the dispatcher, so the call was terminated.

At 2:44 a.m., police said that the same number called back and told the operator that “he was hung up on after a crime was committed in Fern Park.” According to police, he then told the operator that “we have redundancy, so surrender now or [expletive] you!”

Police said that Schlar then appeared to have walked toward West Hartford Center, documenting his path through his Twitter account, and also indicating his feelings toward the police with the hashtag “#f**kthepolice.”

An hour later, an officer discovered a motorcycle parked in the West Hartford Police Department lot, that belonged to a WHPD employee, had been knocked over. A parking gate leading to the area had also been damaged, and video surveillance showed an individual, subsequently identified as Schlar, standing nearby.

At approximately 4:46 a.m., police said, a town employee reported an incident of vandalism in West Hartford Center, and soon after found a man sitting in a chair in the middle of Farmington Avenue. Police said they responded to that incident and asked the man – who has been identified as Schlar – what he was doing.

“I was waiting for you,” was Schlar’s response, police said.

Police said Schlar did not cooperate with investigators, and then scuffled with officers as they arrested him, resulting in injury to an officer and damage to a police cruiser.

No further information was provided about the nature of vandalism in West Hartford Center, but another incident of vandalism that occurred overnight has been linked to Schlar.

Police said they received a report from a Whole Foods Market supervisor that a shopping cart had been pushed through the glass front door, shattering it. Two watermelons were smashed inside the store. Police reviewed video surveillance footage and identified Schlar pushing the cart through the door at approximately 3:18 a.m.

Police said it appears that Schlar was trying to lure police to him as he walked from Fernridge Park to West Hartford Center.

“Based on the time of night, the location of the motorcycle, and Jared’s prior statements to and about law enforcement, it is obvious that his intention was to do harm to property directly related to the West Hartford Police Department and its employees. Afterwards, Jared continued into West Hartford Center, where he again provoked and lured officers to a confrontation,” police said in a report.

Schlar has been charged with interfering with an officer, assault on a peace officer, breach of peace, reckless use of a highway by a pedestrian, two counts of first-degree criminal mischief, two counts of second-degree criminal mischief, and three counts of refusing to be fingerprinted.

He is being held on $100,000 bond.

Police were not available for further comment, but said the case is still under investigation.

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