Anthony T. Pollaro, 29, of Tidioute, was in court for a bail revocation hearing. According to witnesses, Pollaro fled the downstairs hallway, left the courthouse, ran across Fourth Avenue, and headed west before being chased down by Warren County Sheriff’s deputies.

Pollaro was returned to the courthouse and escorted into the scheduled hearing before District Judge Raymond Zydonik where he said he was prepared to continue and act as his own attorney. He was initially arrested July 23 on two counts of terroristic threats, harassment, disorderly conduct, and two counts of endangering the welfare of children.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, Pollaro was involved in an argument with a woman in Tidioute. During that argument, he allegedly removed a child from the house. The child was returned. Pollaro then allegedly threatened a man with a hammer. Another witness told police he heard Pollaro say, “I will burn the house down.”

In the courtroom, District Attorney Rob Greene informed Zydonik that his office intended to add counts to the docket, including terroristic threats.

He was not able to continue speaking as Pollaro interrupted him loudly.

Greene said he did not believe the hearing should be held because, “I believe Mr. Pollaro might be under the influence of something.”

Pollaro interrupted again, loudly stating that “I’m not under the influence of anything” and that he was angry at the charges that he said were not justified.

As Pollaro went on, Zydonik advised him to “please exercise your right to remain silent. Everything you say in front of law enforcement is going to used against you…”

Pollaro interrupted Zydonik, saying, “What are they going to use? Use it.”

Pollaro repeatedly interrupted the judge and the district attorney. Zydonik repeatedly asked Pollaro to exercise his right to remain silent.

“I never said I was going to burn anyone’s house down,” Pollaro said, adding that the cards were stacked against him in the case because it was his word against the word of “three people who are against me.”

Greene said the Commonwealth was making a motion to revoke Pollaro’s bail based on the new charges, alleged violations of his bail restrictions, and Pollaro’s flight from the hearing. “He took off from the courthouse,” Greene said. “Police had to pursue.”

At that point, Pollaro, who was surrounded by deputies, indicated one and said, “he’s fast.”

Zydonik informed Pollaro that a representative of state parole had been at the courthouse and Pollaro’s state parole would be revoked.

Greene said he was prepared to proceed with a preliminary hearing and that all of the witnesses were at the courthouse.

Pollaro wanted to proceed. “I can stay cool,” he said, telling the judge he was angry, but not under the influence of any substances.

Asked again about the status of his representation, Pollaro said he planned to represent himself.

Greene pointed out that Assistant Public Defender Francis Waweru was in the courtroom observing the proceedings and suggested Waweru could act as Pollaro’s attorney.

Pollaro agreed to “lawyer up” if it would mean there would be a hearing.

“Your honor, I’m not prepared,” Waweru said at the possibility of taking on Pollaro as a client for the hearing.

Greene suggested that the hearing be continued.

“He said he does want an attorney, he can’t stop talking while other people are talking, and he might be high on something,” Greene said.

The hearing was continued and Zydonik revoked Pollaro’s bail “based on events of today.”

Bail was originally set at $25,000 unsecured.