Police Report: Wethersfield Elementary School Principal Followed Kids at Wal-Mart to Take Secret Pictures

WETHERSFIELD, CT — The principal of a local elementary school arrested over the weekend at a Hartford Wal-Mart is accused of following children around the store in order to take secretive pictures of them, a police report indicates.

John Bean, the principal at Highcrest Elementary School, has been placed on administrative leave as the investigation into what happened at the store progresses, Superintendent of Schools Michael Emmett reiterated on Wednesday, the same day Hartford police released a report on the incident following several Freedom of Information requests.

According to the Hartford Police arrest log, Bean, 45, was taken into custody at 1:05 p.m. Saturday at 495 Flatbush Ave., the address of the area Wal-Mart.

He was charged with interfering and second-degree breach of peace.

His bond was set at $10,000.

Court records indicate Bean made a quick appearance to begin the week, posted the bond and was to appear before a judge on Wednesday.

Highcrest serves students in kindergarten through Grade 6, according to the school system's Web site.

According to a police report, an uniformed officer assifgned to the Wal-Mart that day was called into the store by security staffers because they had been watching a man, later identified as Bean, walking through several aisles. He had no cart and appeared not to be shopping, but following children with his phone camera and then taking pictures of them when their mothers traveled out of the photo frames, police said in the report.

He was concealing his phone with a toy package, according to the report.

The officer first confronted Bean by pretending he recognized him, but Bean pout his head down and tried to walk away, according to the report. He was placed in an arm lock by the officer, told he was being detained for questioning about the photos and led away, according to the report.

When asked what he did for a living, because he had on what appeared to be a youth soccer shirt, Bean simple said "work," according to the report. Police determined he was the principal at Highcrest, according to the report. Bean was then arrested based partly on the store security camera evidence, according to the report.

Hartford police said the incident is still being investigated.

Emmett on Wednesday released the following statement:

"As you know, I placed Mr. Bean on administrative leave, effective Sept. 26, 2016, after learning of his arrest during the weekend.

"The matter remains under investigation by the Hartford Police Department, and the district is conducting its own investigation concerning this matter as well.

"As I indicated previously, since the matter remains under investigation, it would not be appropriate for met to comment concerning the events leading to Mr. Bean’s arrest.

"I can assure you that this matter is being treated as a matter of the utmost importance.

"As always, our most important priority is the safety and well-being of our students, and the continuity of high quality instruction for our students. Those will continue to be our top priorities."

Photo Credit: Hartford Police