Stolen Copper Piping Causes Oil Spill, Police Say

A copper pipe was cut and stolen during a residential burglary on Maxim Drive that caused oil to leak into Bear Pond last week.

A vacant home was broken into across the street from the pond on Dec. 4, and a copper pipe was cut, causing oil to leak into the basement and then into the pond, according to a report supplied by Lt. Thomas Kmetz.

Kmetz said it is still unknown how much oil was in the oil tank. When the oil was found at the top of the pond, the Hopatcong Fire Department put out containment booms and absorbent pads to prevent the oil from flowing further.

Kmetz said Hudson Farm called a special hazmat environmental agency to clean up the oil in the house and in Bear Pond.

Hudson Farm is offering a $25,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to the convinction of the individual responsible for the theft, Kmetz said.

Anyone with information is asking to contact the Hopatcong Police Department at 973-398-5000.

Kmetz said there was another incident where copper piping was stolen from another home on Maxim Drive. The back door of a deck had the door knob bent up, which disengaged the lock, he said. The copper pipe was removed from the heating system that leaked water in the home, Kmetz said.

Kmetz said the copper pipe was also cut from a propane tank that was outside. He said it is unknown as to how much propane leaked out of the tank.