Crime & Safety

Bar Patron Bit Off Part Of Rival's Ear, Then Kicked Officer, Spit In Face Of Another Cop: Police

The 47-year-old pub brawler was arrested Friday night after the violence at a Town of Montgomery establishment.

A melee at a Hudson Valley pub led to the felony arrest of an Orange County man.
A melee at a Hudson Valley pub led to the felony arrest of an Orange County man. (Google Maps)

TOWN OF MONTGOMERY, NY — A melee at a Hudson Valley pub led to the felony arrest of an Orange County man.

The Town of Montgomery Police Department says that 47-year-old William "Billy" Hassler, of Montgomery, was arrested after the violence at a local pub.

On Friday, around 10:26 p.m., officers from the Town of Montgomery Police Department and the New York State Police responded to Copperfields Pub, on Clinton St., after receiving a report of a physical altercation.

Find out what's happening in Mid Hudson Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The Town of Montgomery Police Department says that 47-year-old William "Billy" Hassler, of Montgomery, was arrested after the violence a local pub. (Town of Montgomery Police Department)

Police say that Hassler had been previously trespassed from the property. When he was asked to leave, he became involved in a physical altercation, cops said.

Several people tried to restrain Hassler until law enforcement arrived, during which he bit off a portion of a person's ear, witnesses told police.

Find out what's happening in Mid Hudson Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

While officers were arresting Hassler, he allegedly kicked an officer several times and spit in the face of an officer.

Hassler was charged with felony first-degree assault; felony second-degree assault; and trespass which is a violation.

After arraignment, Hassler was remanded to the Orange County Jail with bail set at $10,000 cash bail/$20,000 secured bond/$50,000 partially secured bond.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.