Two charged for arson after shooting flare gun into occupied barnegat home

BARNEGAT, N.J. — Two teenagers have been charged with aggravated arson and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose after authorities say they fired a flare gun into a Barnegat Township home, sparking a fire earlier this week.

Kaele Principato, 18, of Barnegat Township, and Lucas Pyle, 18, of Egg Harbor City, were arrested on June 9 following an investigation into a June 7 incident on Schooner Avenue, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced Tuesday.

At approximately 2:50 p.m. on June 7, Barnegat Township police and fire departments responded to a report of a residential fire. By the time emergency personnel arrived, the flames had been extinguished by the residents. No injuries were reported.

An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad and supporting agencies determined that the fire began in the home’s living room. Officials said it was caused by a flare gun discharged through a window, igniting the window curtains.

Teen suspects remain jailed pending detention hearing

Investigators identified Principato and Pyle as the individuals who fired the flare gun into the house before fleeing the scene. No motive for the act has been disclosed.

Both suspects were taken into custody at the Barnegat Township Police Headquarters on Monday. They were transported to the Ocean County Jail and remain held pending a detention hearing.

The case remains under investigation by multiple county and local law enforcement agencies.

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