A former U.S. Army recruiter in Cedar City has been bound over to stand trial on charges that he took an Army vehicle and abandoned it in the woods near Pintura, Utah.
Prosecutors say Michael Haar stole or intentionally tried to deprive the government of the vehicle because he abandoned it. Fifth District Judge Robert Braithwaite ruled Tuesday there was enough evidence to try Haar on the charge.Haar also faces bad-check charges and an arrest warrant issued in early November accusing him of rape and sodomy.
U.S. Army Capt. David Exton testified during the preliminary hearing this week that he ordered Haar to travel to Salt Lake City earlier this month to answer misconduct charges and to be relieved of his duties.
Exton testified that he escorted Haar to I-15 and anticipated Haar would be in Salt Lake City four hours later.
However, Dace McIntyre of the Cedar City Police Department testified Haar did not go to Salt Lake City as ordered and instead abandoned the Army vehicle at an exit south of Cedar City, walked to St. George and had a friend drive him to Salt Lake City.
Cedar City Police Chief Pete Hansen testified the vehicle was found hidden near Pintura, unharmed with the keys and some personal items he believed belonged to Haar inside.
Haar's attorney, Jim Park, said because the keys were left in the vehicle and it was unharmed, it's clear Haar was reluctant to go to Salt Lake City because of possible Army actions. But it did not prove he stole a car, Park said.
Haar could face additional charges pending the outcome of investigations by both the military and the state.
Haar has already lost military benefits and faces Army charges of going AWOL and willfully disobeying a lawful order.
Haar is being held at the Iron County jail, and his bail was changed from $10,000 cash only to $20,000.