LAKEWOOD, NJ — A 39-year-old man has been charged with aggravated arson and two counts of arson in connection with three fires set in the township.
Israel Salgado-Miron, of Lakewood, was charged on November 30, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced.
The charges stem from incidents that occurred on November 29.
At approximately 10:30 p.m. that day, Lakewood Township Police and Fire Departments responded to a structure fire on East Eighth Street.
First responders discovered a fire in the basement window well of the structure upon arrival.
Emergency personnel shortly thereafter discovered two additional brush fires along railroad tracks in the area.
Firefighters extinguished all three fires.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office revealed the structure fire originated in the basement window well.
Investigators determined the cause of the fire was incendiary, with an unknown person utilizing an open flame to available combustible materials.
The investigation further revealed the two brush fires were incendiary, caused by an unknown person utilizing a hot set to a jackpot of fuel.
Continuing investigation led to the identification of Salgado-Miron as the individual responsible for setting all three fires.
Salgado-Miron was taken into custody and transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
