When neighbors share a wall, tensions can run high. But this Newark man allegedly tried to hammer through wall and confront neighbor

NEWARK — A local resident has been arrested and charged with attempting to bash a hole through a wall he shared with his neighbor, leading to a lengthy police standoff, court records show.

The 41-year-old man was charged with a single misdemeanor count of vandalism, though the criminal complaint says the amount of damage surpassed the level required for a felony charge. He has posted $20,000 bail and been released from jail while the case is pending.

It all stems from an incident on July 13, when a resident on the 36300 block of Indian Wells Drive in Newark called police to report his neighbor had used a hammer to smash a small hole in their shared wall while yelling “f— you” repeatedly. The 911 caller reported smelling alcohol on the suspect and said that they’d had conflicts with the man previously, police said.

Police responded to the residence, but when an officer entered the building and saw firearms within reach of the suspect, they cleared the building and established a perimeter outside. Negotiators eventually convinced the man to surrender and be arrested, authorities said.

Police seized several firearms from the home, including pistols and rifles, according to court records.