Toms River Man Accused of Cutting Utility Pole Cables

He looked like the genuine article, but Toms River police say Kevin Wutzer just wore a clever disguise while cutting aluminum cable from a utility pole.

Wutzer, 51, now faces a criminal mischief count for the incident that arose last Saturday, police said.

A phone tip just before 11 AM led officers to a spot on Indian Hill road near Wutzer's house. He was clad in an orange safety vest and an orange Home Depot hard hat, holding a hacksaw, police said. Nearby were two Hendrix cables completely severed and a third partly cut, police said.

Wutzer identified himself as a Jersey Central Power and Light worker, police said. JCP&L sent staffers to the spot, verified that he didn't work for the company, and estimated the damage at $6,000, police said.

Authorities credit the anonymous tipster with helping to foil the incident, and encourage citizens to step up when something seems unusual in township neighborhoods. Toms River police can be reached at 732-349-0150.