MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ—Ron Carr, a 35-year-old resident of Manchester Township, entered a guilty plea to charges of Arson, Bias Intimidation, and two counts of Criminal Mischief. His plea was entered before Judge Guy P. Ryan on Wednesday, in relation to incidents that took place on June 6, 2023, and early June 7, 2023.

On the evening of June 6, Manchester Township Police responded to vandalism reports in Pine Lake Park, where 14 homes were defaced with graffiti, including Nazi symbols. Officers were able to obtain a suspect description during their investigation.

In the early hours of June 7, police were called to a structure fire in the same area, which resulted in the destruction of one house and heat damage to three others. The fire also spread to nearby woods. There were no reported injuries.

A suspect matching the description from the vandalism was seen near the fire. Police arrested Carr shortly thereafter near Commonwealth Boulevard and Larchmont Street.

Following a detailed investigation, authorities confirmed Carr’s involvement in both the vandalism and the arson. He has been held at the Ocean County Jail since his arrest.

At his sentencing scheduled for August 16, the prosecution will seek a sentence of seven years for the Arson charge, five years for Bias Intimidation, and 18 months for each Criminal Mischief charge, all to be served concurrently.

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