FREEHOLD, NJ — In a recent court proceeding, a Toms River man, Harcourt “Paul” S. Ward, 70, admitted to committing arson by setting fire to several commercial vehicles in Wall Township, as announced by Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago and Wall Township Police Chief Sean O’Halloran.
On Tuesday, January 2, Ward pleaded guilty to third-degree Arson before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Henry P. Butehorn. In light of his plea, the State has recommended a 3-year sentence in a New Jersey State Prison. The sentencing is provisionally set for Friday, March 22.
The case originated from an incident on Monday, September 26, 2022, around 10:11 p.m. The Wall Township Police Department responded to a report of a fire at the 1900 block of Atlantic Avenue. On-site, police and the Monmouth County Fire Marshal’s Office discovered six vehicles engulfed in flames.
Further investigation identified Ward, associated with Ward Realty and Insurance in Point Pleasant, as the individual who deliberately set the vehicles on fire. The fires resulted in damages exceeding $1 million. The guilty plea marks a significant development in a case that has drawn considerable attention due to the scale of damage and the deliberate nature of the act.