Car Burglar Subdued With Pepper Spray After Foot Chase on Route 9

A man who led police on a foot chase over a fence and across Route 9 was arrested and charged with burglary after police allege he attempted to steal inspection stickers from cars, officials said.

David Owens, 48, of Asbury Park, was arrested 4 a.m. Thursday morning near a Route 9 auto dealership after police subdued him with pepper spray, police said.

“The officers chased him over a fence and across Route 9 where he was finally apprehended after being pepper sprayed when he fought with the officers who were attempting to arrest him,” said Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy in an email.

Officers Jason Putkowski, Anthony Scali and DJ Unger responded after officers saw Owens allegedly burglarizing a vehicle at Guardian Auto, Mastronardy said.

“Investigation found that Owens entered the vehicle and was about to steal the inspection decal from the window when he was approached by the officers,” Mastronardy said.

The police chief said a razor, scraper and wax paper were retrieved from the scene. He said the wax paper is used to protect the inspection decal after it is removed, so it can be resold.

“These inspection stickers are sold for about $100 per decal,” Mastronardy said.

Owens was held on $75,000 bail in Ocean County Jail after being charged burglary and aggravated assault by Officer Jason Putkowski and Detective Glenn Lucas.