Little Egg Harbor, NJ – A Little Egg Harbor Township man has been charged with aggravated arson, possession of a destructive device, and hindering apprehension after investigators linked him to a residential fire on Oneida Lake Drive, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that John Algor Jr., 24, was charged Thursday in connection with the July 1 fire, which authorities say was intentionally set at approximately 11:30 p.m.
Investigation determined fire was intentionally set
Police and firefighters responded to a home on Oneida Lake Drive after receiving reports of a structure fire. Responding crews found that the homeowner had already extinguished the flames using a garden hose, preventing the fire from spreading further.
An investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, the Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department Detective Bureau, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and the Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire originated on the northwest corner of the home’s front porch.
“The cause of the fire was determined to be incendiary by an unknown person utilizing an open flame to available combustibles – specifically, combustible material soaked in an ignitable liquid and placed in a glass container,” the prosecutor’s office said.
Motorcycle led investigators to suspect
Investigators determined an individual arrived at the residence on a motorcycle, ignited the device, and threw it at the home before leaving the scene.
“Further investigation revealed that an individual arrived at the residence on a motorcycle, lit an object on fire, and threw the object at the residence before leaving the scene,” the prosecutor’s office said. Authorities said continuing investigation identified that individual as Algor.
On Thursday, detectives went to Algor’s residence, where they allegedly found a motorcycle with its license plates removed and concealed beneath a tarp.
Suspect held pending detention hearing
Algor was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he remains lodged pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer commended the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office “for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation.”
The charges are accusations, and Algor is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Key Points
- John Algor Jr., 24, of Little Egg Harbor Township, is charged with aggravated arson, possession of a destructive device, and hindering apprehension.
- Investigators allege he threw a homemade incendiary device at a residence on Oneida Lake Drive before fleeing on a motorcycle.
- Algor was arrested Thursday and remains in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
