By Davy James, Staff Writer
A township resident is facing assault charges after he allegedly punched a female friend and pointed a gun at her.
Charles “Phil” Crouch, 53, was charged with aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose following the incident, which caused police to close Fresh Ponds Road for approximately four hours.
At 6:15 a.m. on Monday, South Brunswick police were called to a gas station on Route 130 following a 911 call reporting that a female Jamesburg resident had been assaulted. Officers arrived to find the victim shaken and bruised.
The victim told police she had been at 15 Fresh Ponds Road to check on Mr. Crouch, who was upset about the recent death of a mutual friend, according to police.
While at the house, the victim and Mr. Crouch got into an argument, which led to Mr. Crouch pushing her against a wall, grabbing her hair and repeatedly punching her, according to police.
Mr. Crouch then pulled out a small black handgun and pointed it at the victim, police said. As the victim was attempting to flee the residence, Mr. Crouch apparently tried to stop her, which led to him being struck by the victim’s car, according to police.
”The investigation is still ongoing but she apparently acted in self-defense when she struck Mr. Crouch with her car,” said police spokesman Sgt. James Ryan.
Officers established a perimeter around the residence and the South Brunswick Police Emergency Response Team, which is trained to handle high-risk situations, was activated. As the police ERT was being assembled, officers around the perimeter of the location observed a car leave the driveway of the residence.
Police stopped the car and found that the driver had a black .380 mm handgun in his car. The driver, Richard Wall, 21, who lives at 15 Fresh Ponds Road, was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a firearm.
”The investigation indicates Mr. Wall was given the gun and asked to leave the house with it,” Sgt. Ryan said. “He was cooperative with the investigation. His case will be forwarded to a grand jury to see what they want to do.”
After members of the ERT were assembled they attempted to make contact with the occupants of the house. Officers tried calling the house’s phone number but were unsuccessful. After failing to reach the occupants, officers used a microphone to tell the occupants to emerge from the house.
After approximately 20 minutes, Mr. Crouch and another man, Robert Newman, 52, emerged and were taken into custody. Mr. Newman was arrested on outstanding traffic warrants from New Brunswick, but police said he did not have any direct involvement with the incident.
Mr. Crouch was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick for minor injuries to his foot and knee suffered when he was hit by the car. After being discharged, he was then taken by police to the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center where he is being held in lieu of $25,000 bail.
Mr. Newman was released after posting $500 bail on the traffic warrant. Mr. Wall was released on a summons.

