Police: Man Orders Pitbulls to Attack Utility Worker

A Toms River man with a stick and two pitbulls threatened a utility worker and remains a wanted man after an incident Tuesday afternoon.

Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy said police responded to Whittier and Gladney Avenues for a possible assault at 2 p.m. Tuesday, where a man was confronted by a resident as he was working on utilities there.

"Investigation found that a 28 year old man was making utility mark outs at 29 Gladney Avenue when he was confronted by a resident," Mastronardy said in an email. The man was threatened and told to leave the property by the resident, he said.

The resident then approached the utility worker with a stick in his hand and his two pitbulls, Mastronardy said. The man commanded the dogs to attack the worker.

"He ordered the utility worker off his property then returned shortly with a stick and two pitbulls that he ordered to sick him and kill him," he said.

The victim then ran back to his truck and was safe when he then called police, Mastronardy said.

Officers Nicholas Franco and Bob Burczyk responded. 

The man, believed to be Michael Crown, 32, of Gladney Avenue, was not able to be located by police, said Mastronardy. A warrant for his arrest was issued for charges of aggravated assault.

Anyone with information can call police headquarters at 732-349-0150.