Car Speeds Over Sidewalks, Into Yards In West Hartford Neighborhood

WEST HARTFORD, CT — A wild scene in a West Hartford neighborhood Monday afternoon left a driver in custody on a six-figure bond and facing a book load of criminal charges.

At 1:10 p.m. Monday, West Hartford police received "numerous" emergency calls regarding an erratic driver in the area of Ridgewood and Tunxis roads, according to an incident report. It was reported that the operator was driving at a high rate of speed and was driving on front lawns, according to a report.

Officers arrived at the scene and located the vehicle — occupied — in the back yard of a residence on Tunxis Road.

The driver disobeyed officers' commands and fled from the scene while driving on sidewalks and nearly striking several pedestrians. The vehicle was eventually stopped with the use of tire deflation devices, police said.

No injuries were reported.

The driver, identified as Jared Schlar, 36, of Hartford, was charged with:

• Three counts of criminal attempt at first-degree assault
• Three counts of first-degree reckless endangerment
• Reckless driving
• Engaging police in a Pursuit
• Third-degree criminal mischief
• Interfering with an officer
• Failure to obey a stop sign
• Failure to drive right
• Driving while under suspension
• Evading responsibility
• Second-degree breach of peace

Police said Schlar is currently being held on a $200,000 bond and will be presented to Hartford Superior Court Tuesday morning.

Anyone with additional information regarding the incident can contact the West Hartford Police Department at 860-523-5203 or use the WHPD Tip Line. The Tip Line email is whpdtips@westhartfordct.gov and the phone number is 860-570-8969.