'Polite Plumbers' Argument Leads To Assault Charges In Hopatcong

HOPATCONG, NJ — A dispute between a "Polite Plumber" and a customer ended with the plumber facing charges for assault on a police officer, Hopatcong police said.

William Hughes, owner of the Polite Plumbers, was arrested and charged with multiple counts including assault on a police officer for pushing officers during a contract dispute in Hopatcong on Aug. 5, Hopatcong police said. The next day, police say Hughes personally apologized to the two officers involved in the arrest.

"This entire situation was purely because of anger. So many of our arrests come from people being emotionally overcharged and acting out," Hopatcong Capt. Tom Kmetz said. When you find yourself so mad that you are not thinking, you need to stop, think and breath deep."

According to police, Hughes installed a boiler for a Hopatcong landlord, but failed to hook it up to the home. The landlord had already paid Hughes in full, and hired another plumber to finish the work. He said he would bill Hughes for the other plumbers work.

When the landlord told Hughes that, he drove over to the apartment, police said, and an argument happened. Hughes went into the crawl space and took the blower motor because he "thought the landlord would stop payment on his credit card," police said.

Officers told Hughes to put the blower back, but he ignored them. Hughes began to approach his car to leave with the blower, and officers say they warned Hughes to back away, or he could be arrested.

Hughes told the officers to arrest him, so they did. As officers went arrest Hughes, they say he spun around, throwing an officer on the ground. Another officer places Hughes on the ground, arrested him, and brought him to headquarters. He was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, burglary, theft over $500, obstruction and resisting arrest.

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