PORT TOWNSEND — A 28-year-old Port Townsend man was taken into custody this morning after a seven-hour chase that began when he was angered by a bartender’s refusal to allow him to drink after last call, police said.
Jaren Niles Hackman of Port Townsend was taken into custody just after 9 a.m. after allegedly assaulting the bartender of Middletown Dreams, 213 Taylor St., just after 2 a.m., punching his fist through the window of a neighboring business and leading police on a chase through downtown, according to Port Townsend police.
Hackman was arrested for investigation of first-degree burglary, harassment, fourth-degree assault, third-degree malicious mischief and obstructing a law enforcement officer.
The burglary charge stems from Hackman’s refusal to leave the bar and “his commission of a crime therein,” police said in a news release.
Hackman remained in custody this afternoon with no bail set.
His initial court appearance is expected to be at 11:30 a.m. Friday in Jefferson County Superior Court, according to Port Townsend Police Department Officer Luke Bogues.
Here is the police report of what happened.
The bartender, who was not named, told police that when he didn’t allow Hackman to drink beer after closing time, Hackman refused to leave and allow the bartender to close.
Hackman “took a fighting stance” with the bartender, police said, and threw a Styrofoam container of soup at him.
“Hackman eventually stormed outside and broke the window out of the Clothes Horse at 910 Water St., before attempting to force his way back inside Middletown Dreams,” police said.
Port Townsend police officers arrived to see Hackman climbing the steps near Haller Fountain toward Jefferson Street.
He refused commands to stop and fled, police said.
At about 6 a.m., police were told that Hackman might be headed for the emergency room at Jefferson Healthcare hospital, but staff there said he had never arrived.
At about 7:30 a.m., police officers saw him fleeing north from his home in the 2100 block of 14th Street across Discovery Road in the direction of the Towne Point community.
With the help of Rico, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s police dog, officers tracked Hackman to a home in the 2700 block of St. Helens Place, police said.
At first occupants said Hackman wasn’t there, police said, but when told they faced arrest for investigation of harboring a suspect, they admitted he was inside.
Hackman, who was in a bedroom in the house, refused to leave until he was told that Rico would be sent in to find him, police said.
Officers took him to Jefferson Healthcare for medical treatment before he was booked.
The Port Townsend Police Department is seeking witnesses in the case.
To provide a statement, contact an officer at 360-385-3831, ext. 1. The case number is 14-9792.
________
Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
