Manchester Township, NJ – A Toms River man is facing multiple charges after authorities say he broke into a vacant home, set a fire, and carved antisemitic messages inside the property earlier this week. The incident, discovered Monday morning, prompted a multi-agency investigation that led to an arrest within days.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Dalin Brown, 24, was charged Tuesday with Aggravated Arson, Burglary, Bias Intimidation, Criminal Mischief, and Criminal Trespass. The charges stem from a series of घटनات reported Sunday in Manchester Township.
Fire and vandalism discovered inside unoccupied residence
Officers responded Monday at approximately 9:55 a.m. to a residence on 12th Avenue after receiving a report of a burglary. Upon arrival, officers found evidence of a fire that had already been extinguished in the living room. Inside the home, investigators also observed antisemitic carvings on an interior door and multiple walls.
The residence, which is currently under construction, was unoccupied at the time of the incident. No injuries were reported.
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A joint investigation involving the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Manchester Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit determined the fire originated along the south wall of the living room. Investigators concluded the fire was intentionally set using available combustible materials.
Investigation leads to arrest and jail detention
Authorities identified Brown as the suspect responsible for entering the home, starting the fire, and carving the messages. He was taken into custody at Manchester Township Police Headquarters without incident and transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he remains pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer credited multiple agencies for their coordination in the case, including the Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Manchester Township Police Department and its Detective Bureau, the Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit.
The charges are accusations, and Brown is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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