LAKEWOOD – Police said that a fire started in a home in Lakewood was set intentionally, and charged a man with attempted murder and four counts of aggravated arson.
Jamal Preston, 25, of Egg Harbor Township, allegedly set the fire on Aug. 22. He was arrested by the United States Marshals Service on August 31.
Charges are merely accusations until proven in a court of law.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said investigators determined that an ignitable liquid and an open flame was used.
Billhimer thanked the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department, Lakewood Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, New Jersey State Fire Marshals K-9 Unit, United States Marshals Service, Egg Harbor Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Berkeley Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and South Toms River Police Department for their collaborative efforts in this investigation leading to Preston’s arrest.
