Alleged Window-Smasher Arrested

Police arrested a 62-year-old man with a history of mental health challenges in connection with a window-smashing spree in Westville Village.

The incident began just after midnight Friday.

Police were called to the New Haven Inn on Pond Lily Avenue after a man had damaged a window and other items inside a rented room, according to top Westville cop Lt. Brian McDermott.

The man had fled. Thirty minutes later, an alarm went off at Westville Jewelers up the road at 901 Whalley. The owner reported that video showed ​“an intoxicated male” ​“throwing unknown items” at the window, but not going in to steal anything.

Canvassing the neighborhood, officers encountered a passerby who’d seen a man breaking windows at Pistachio Cafe and Rawa restaurant in Westville Village.

The officers found the man still in the area. He tried to run, but officers ​“were able to quickly take the offender into custody,” McDermott reported in an email message.

“The offender appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance. This individual also has a history of mental health problems and erratic behavior. He is known to NHPD,” McDermott stated.

Because of his intoxication, police had him taken to the hospital. They issued him a misdemeanor summons for the damage at the motel. Based on video they subsequently saw, they plan to submit a warrant application to arrest him in connection with the Rawa and Pistachio damage.

Later Saturday, some creative window patching at Pistachio Cafe in Westville informs patrons, ​“We are open.”

A visibly upset Mohamad Hafez, owner of Pistachio Cafe, stood outside while workers patched the broken windows.

“It’s enough to make people want to pack up and leave New Haven,” said Hafez who also maintains an art studio above the cafe at West River Arts.