LACEY TOWNSHIP, NJ — A man has been charged with aggravated arson in connection with a residential fire.
Taquan Shelton, 43, of Lacey Township, was charged Oct. 15 with aggravated arson, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced.
At approximately 1:05 p.m. Oct. 15, the Lacey Township Police and Fire Departments were dispatched to a home on Hillwood Road for a report of a residential fire.
Emergency personnel discovered furniture in the residence to be on fire and were able to extinguish the blaze.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Lacey Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigations Unit, New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office K-9 Unit, and Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office revealed that the origin of the fire was a couch and ottoman located in the living room.
The cause of the fire was determined to be incendiary, with an unknown person using an open flame to ignitable liquid.
Further investigation led to the identification of Shelton, a renter of the residence, as the individual responsible for setting the fire.
Shelton was taken into custody at Lacey Township Police Headquarters.
He was transported to the Ocean County Jail where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
