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Utah County man charged for crashing into car in ‘pet custody dispute'

What police describe as “a pet custody dispute” that “went awry” led to five felony assault charges Monday — plus misdemeanor reckless driving and criminal mischief — against a Utah County man for crashing into a car carrying his ex-girlfriend as she fled with their dog.

“Defendant really wanted to get the dog back,” 4th District Court charging documents said.

Gregson Blaine Willes, 50, of Benjamin, was charged after an incident that began Wednesday when police say his ex-girlfriend plus four of her friends picked up the dog from a home. Police say Willes saw them and followed in his car.

“Defendant drove his car into victim’s car to force the victim to stop,” sideswiping it, then pulling in front of it, charges say.

“He said he approached the car to try and get the dog out. He admitted to shattering the passenger window and to grabbing the passenger’s legs when she kicked at him,” charges said.

The charging document said Willes showed “willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.”