Trenton, NJ — A Trenton man accused of attacking a resident inside a home and then setting the property on fire before fleeing has been arrested after a nearly three-week investigation that stretched into Pennsylvania. Karon Oliver, 37, now faces attempted murder and multiple additional charges tied to the violent May incident at a residence on Pennington Avenue, according to the Trenton Police Department.
The arrest marks a significant development in a case that began when emergency crews responded to a house fire at 756 Pennington Avenue on Saturday, May 16, at approximately 7:33 a.m. Responding officers encountered a victim who had reportedly suffered injuries during an assault inside the burning home.
Investigation Led to Attempted Murder Charges
Trenton Police Department detectives, working alongside several regional and state agencies, spent nearly three weeks investigating the incident before identifying Oliver as the suspect.
According to investigators, Oliver entered the Pennington Avenue residence during the early morning hours while carrying a weapon. Detectives allege he assaulted a victim inside the home, causing bodily injury before leaving the scene.
Investigators later determined that Oliver attempted to burn the residence after the assault. Authorities said evidence collected during the investigation indicated a fire had been intentionally set on the first floor of the home.
The incident triggered a large response involving the Trenton Police Department Arson Unit, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Unit, the Trenton Fire Department Fire Marshal’s Office, and the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety.
Key Points
• Trenton investigators charged Karon Oliver, 37, with attempted murder and multiple related offenses.
• Authorities allege he assaulted a victim inside a Pennington Avenue home before setting a fire.
• U.S. Marshals arrested Oliver in Pennsylvania on June 3 after a nearly three-week investigation.
Fire personnel evacuated residents from the property, and authorities reported that no injuries occurred as a result of the fire itself. The victim’s injuries stemmed from the alleged assault, according to investigators.
Police said patrol officers found Oliver several blocks away from the residence shortly after the fire was reported. However, the investigation continued as detectives worked to establish the full sequence of events and gather evidence supporting criminal charges.
Arrest Made in Pennsylvania
The case took a major turn on Wednesday, June 3, when members of the United States Marshals NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force located and arrested Oliver in Morrisville, Pennsylvania, without incident.
The arrest resulted from a joint effort involving the Trenton Police Department Criminal Investigation Bureau-Arson Unit, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Unit, and the Trenton Fire Department Fire Marshal’s Office.
During a search conducted after the arrest, authorities said Oliver was found in possession of PCP, a controlled dangerous substance. Additional charges related to that alleged possession were filed in Pennsylvania court.
The Trenton Police Department announced that Oliver remains held at the Bucks County Correctional Center while awaiting court proceedings and extradition.
Oliver faces charges including:
- Criminal Attempt-Murder
- Home Invasion Burglary
- Aggravated Assault
- Aggravated Arson
- Terroristic Threats
- Unlawful Possession of a Weapon
- Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose
The charges remain accusations, and Oliver is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Multi-Agency Response
The investigation brought together local, county, state, and federal resources because of the combination of violent crime and suspected arson allegations.
Authorities said detectives spent weeks reviewing evidence and reconstructing events inside the residence before obtaining the charges. The case also required coordination across state lines after Oliver was located in Pennsylvania.
The allegations center on a sequence of events that investigators say escalated from a violent confrontation inside a home to a fire that placed residents at risk and required emergency evacuation.
Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact Detective Michael Manning at the Trenton Police Department or Detective Sergeant Michael Cipriano. Tips may also be submitted electronically through the department’s tip line.
The investigation remains active, and Oliver is currently being held in Pennsylvania pending court proceedings and extradition to New Jersey to face the charges announced by the Trenton Police Department.