Public’s Help Sought in Rio Grande Assault Case

RIO GRANDE — Middle Township police ask the public’s assistance in locating persons who allegedly assaulted a 48-year-old homeless man earlier this week.
According to a release, sometime during the late evening hours of Monday, April 5, and early morning hours of April 6, four unidentified males assaulted the 48-year-old victim, for no apparent reason. The victim did not have a vehicle, or money, that may have led police to a motive in this case.
There is very limited information on the investigation, at this time, but what police officials do know is that the victim stumbled into the Rio Grande Wawa, and made his way to the bathroom, where he was attempting to clean his wounds. The victim reported to officials that the four unidentified subjects confronted him behind the Rio Grande Sunoco, where they began to assault him, for no apparent reason. It is unknown if weapons were used during the assault.
At that time, an unidentified subject alerted store employees to the victim’s condition, who in turn notified Corporal Fred Crawley, Senior Officer Rich Sittineri and Patrolman Armond Jones, who had arrived on-scene, looking for the suspect in an unrelated assault case.
The Rio Grande Rescue Squad was notified and responded to the scene, where they treated and transported the victim to Cape Regional Medical Center, for a laceration to his head. The victim was released from the hospital, later on 4/6/10.
Detective Ken Martin, of the Major Crimes Unit, is assisting patrols with this investigation.
Anyone with information regarding this case should contact the Major Crimes Unit of the Middle Township Police at 465-8700. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to the Cape May County Crime Stoppers at: 465-2800.