West Haven Man Charged In Protest Vandalism Case: West Hartford Police

WEST HARTFORD, CT — A West Haven man has been arrested in connection with a Jan. 21 vandalism incident fueled by a pro-Palestinian protest against Israel in West Hartford, according to police.

Hicham Talal, 24, of West Haven, was charged with one count of third-degree intimidation based on bigotry or bias and one count of second-degree criminal mischief, according to the West Hartford Police Department.

Talal has been released on $50,000 bond and will appear in Hartford Superior Court March 7, police said.

His charges came after police obtained an arrest warrant as part of their investigation of the incident. Talal turned himself in to West Hartford police Monday, authorities said.

The high-profile incident Jan. 21 involved the splattering of red paint on the exterior of businesses in West Hartford Center and Blue Back Square.

West Hartford police said at about 12:30 p.m. that day, a rally — believed to be a pro-Palestine rally urging a cease-fire — was attended by 150 people at West Hartford Town Hall.

That group then marched throughout areas of Blue Back Square and West Hartford Center, police said.

The situation came one day after a public vigil took place on Jan. 20 involving the local Jewish community at the Young Israel of West Hartford synagogue, 2240 Albany Ave., West Hartford.

West Hartford has Connecticut's largest concentration of Jewish residents.

Since October, Israel has been at war with Hamas, a terror organization based in the Gaza section of Israel that invaded Israel, killing thousands and taking hundreds more hostage.

The town has taken a bit of heat from a state-based, pro-Palestinian group that claimed the WHPD's criminal probe of the matter is an attempt to curb a political protest.

But town officials shot back and said the matter was about the damage to the buildings, not the message behind why people were gathering in that area.

West Hartford police issued a statement of their own Monday about the investigation:

"The West Hartford Police Department’s goals identify a prompt and professional response to our community. Today’s arrest, due in large part to the diligent and continuing efforts of investigators, speaks to our commitment to achieve those goals. Moreover, this incident reflects the independent actions of individuals, not the larger group of protestors. There have been more than 60 gatherings, protests, rallies, vigils, and marches in West Hartford in recent years. No prior event resulted in injuries, arrests, or property damage."

Police said the investigation is ongoing.

"This remains an active and ongoing investigation, and detectives are still attempting to identify the female person of interest depicted on the photo released to the public on Feb. 8," the West Hartford Police Department wrote.

With reporting by Michael Lemanski, Patch Staff