Axe-wielding arsonist from Toms River sentenced to state prison

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A 51-year-old man from Toms River has been sentenced to three years in New Jersey State Prison for multiple crimes, including aggravated assault and arson, prosecutors announced Friday.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said Charles Maulbeck received concurrent sentences of three years for aggravated assault, three years for arson, and 18 months for criminal mischief. The charges stem from separate incidents in Lacey and Brick Townships in 2024.

Authorities say Maulbeck struck a Lacey Township homeowner with an axe during an April 9, 2024 altercation, set a fire at a Falkenberg Road residence in Brick Township on September 13, 2024 that injured three firefighters, and smashed a vehicle window in Lacey Township on September 14, 2024.

Maulbeck was arrested and has remained in custody since September 14, 2024.

Chris Quigley

Chris Quigley is a Staff Writer and Community News Correspondent for Shore News Network, where she covers local government, public safety, community affairs, politics, and issues impacting residents throughout New Jersey. Her reporting focuses on delivering timely, accurate, and relevant news that helps readers stay informed about the communities in which they live and work.

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Chris Quigley is a graduate of Stockton State University and began her career at IN Jersey, the online news and media branch of the Asbury Park Press. She also worked at Monmouth Internet, the Ocean Signal Newspaper, and JTOWN Magazine during her career in both content management and operations.

Degrees: Business B.A. - Stockton University

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