Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on February 9, 2026, Joseph Mansueto, 38, of Berkeley Township, was charged with Aggravated Arson and Criminal Mischief in connection with an incident that occurred on February 8, 2026, in Toms River.
On February 8, 2026, at approximately 3:40 a.m., the Toms River Township Police and Fire Departments responded to Planet Fitness on Route 37 West for a report of a structure fire. Responding emergency personnel observed a small fire at the exterior of the building. The fire was contained to the exterior of the building.
A thorough and extensive investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Toms River Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Toms River Township Bureau of Fire Prevention, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s K-9 Unit, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigations Unit, revealed that the fire originated on the exterior southwest corner of the building. The cause of the fire was determined to be incendiary by an unknown person utilizing an open flame to available combustibles. Further investigation identified Mansueto as the individual responsible for setting the fire.
On February 9, 2026, Mansueto was taken into custody by Officers of the Beachwood Police Department. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Toms River Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Toms River Township Bureau of Fire Prevention, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s K-9 Unit, Borough of Beachwood Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigations Unit, for their collective efforts in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).