Former Rangers forward Sean Avery is facing criminal mischief charges after police say he allegedly threw objects at several cars.
Avery was booked Sept. 30 after police in Southampton got reports that someone was tossing objects at cars on Sept. 29.
The hockey star turned Hamptons homebuilder told NBC 4 New York he never threw anything at cars, but was upset about "excessive speeding" on the roadway in front of the home.
According to police, officers responding to the scene on Prospect Street saw Avery throwing an object at a car, police say.
Officers asked Avery why he was throwing objects at cars, and Avery -- a notorious trash-talker on the ice during his playing days -- allegedly became hostile and denied throwing anything.
Police later interviewed several drivers who said their vehicles had been hit by objects, and Avery was cuffed.
When he was arrested, police say, Avery had prescription painkillers in his possession, and was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance.
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After his arrest Avery tweeted a photo of what appears to be an invoice of his prescriptions. The list includes a prescription for the painkiller he was carrying when he was arrested.
He also sent several tweets on Wednesday that included messages that were critical of the Southampton Police Department.
"They don't like people that ask them to hold themselves accountable," Avery told NBC 4 New York.
Avery was out on bail Wednesday, apparently just days away from his Hamptons wedding to model Hilary Rhoda.
Avery told NBC 4 New York he was targeted by the department for complaining about a lack of police action against what he called excessive speeding in Southampton village, and claimed they illegally searched his vehicle to find his prescription medication.
"Southampton police have a big mess on their hands. And if they want to play dirty and try and tarnish my reputation and try to intimidate me, it's not going to happen," he said.
But neighbors, including one woman who didn't want her face shown, called Avery a loose cannon.
"He just throws things at cars as they go by," she said. "One lady had her dog in the car, he just sprayed her with the hose."
In follow-up calls by NBC 4 New York, Southampton police did not offer further comment on Avery's statements.
Avery, a left wing, played for the Rangers between 2007 and 2008 and again from 2009 and 2012. He retired from the team in 2012.
