PLUMSTED – A Township man has been arrested and charged with intentionally setting two fires in Plumsted and Jackson Townships, officials said.
Edward Petroni, 41, of Plumsted, was charged with two counts of Aggravated Arson, Burglary, and two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon.
Additionally, the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife charged Petroni with Disturbing Vegetation, Soil, Mineral or other Property of the State, Causing Injury or Damage to Structure of a Building, and Setting, Starting, Building, or Maintaining a Fire in a State Wildlife Management Area.
On March 1 around 1:20 p.m., what was initially believed to be a shed fire was reported in the area of Maple Avenue and Brown Road in Plumsted. Emergency personnel found an enclosure used as a bus stop engulfed in fire, which was subsequently extinguished.
After investigating the fire, officials determined the cause to be incendiary by an unknown person(s) using an open flame on combustibles.
That same day around 5 p.m., another fire was reported in the area of Hawkin Road in Jackson. First responders found a single-story, unoccupied structure heavily engulfed in fire.
After the blaze was extinguished, officials initially determined that the structure had been abandoned for an extended period of time and was in a state of decay. It was later discovered that the fire originated in the center of the floor of the structure’s interior and intentionally set.
The structure was unsecured and devoid of any utilities or appliances, and is owned by the State of New Jersey, officials said.
Investigation continued and authorities ultimately identified Petroni as the person responsible for both fires.
At the time of Petroni’s arrest, two knives were found to be in his possession. He was taken to Jackson Township Police Headquarters for processing, and thereafter transported to the Ocean County Jail where he presently remains lodged pending a detention hearing.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer commended the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Plumsted Township Police Department, Jackson Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office K-9 Unit, and New Jersey Conservation Police, for their combined and collective assistance in connection with this thorough and extensive investigation resulting in Petroni’s swift apprehension.
The charges referenced are merely accusations and the public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
