Weapon-Wielding Hopatcong Man Threatened to Shatter Car Windshield, Cops Say

A Hopatcong resident was arrested Wednesday night after threatening a neighbor with a weapon due to a parking issue, Hopatcong Police said.

Just before 9 p.m. Wednesday, officers responded to Beacon Road for a report of a disturbance in the street, Lt. Thomas Kmetz said.

When patrols arrived they found Barry Winbush, 53, in the street with a three-foot wooden pole, Kmetz said.

Winbush was ordered to drop the weapon by Sgt. Magrini, Kmetz said. Winbush did not comply, and turned toward the officer, Kmetz said. Magrini then drew his gun and ordered Winbush to comply, which he did, and was told to lay flat on the ground, Kmetz said.

Again, Winbush did not comply, and only dropped to his knees, Kmetz said. Winbush was then placed onto the ground with the help of Det. Sutphen, Kmetz said. During the process, Winbush sustained a small scratch by his left eyebrow.

Winbush was arrested and taken to police headquarters. An investigation revealed Winbush was mad at a neighbor who had friends over, Kmetz said. One of the neighbor’s friends parked a vehicle in front of Winbush’s home, which made the defendant mad, Kmetz said.

Winbush told police he wanted to confront the neighbor and brought the stick for his own protection, Kmetz said, and had no plans of hitting anyone with it.

The neighbor said Winbush threatened to break the car’s windshield with the stick, and another eyewitness corroborated the threat, Kmetz said.

Winbush was charged with possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and harassment.

Pictured: Barry Winbush. Photo Courtesy Hopatcong Police Department.