Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on April 1, 2026, Dalin Brown, 24, of Toms River, was charged with Aggravated Arson, Burglary, Bias Intimidation, Criminal Mischief, and Criminal Trespass, all in connection with a series of incidents that occurred in Manchester Township on March 29, 2026.
On March 30, 2026, at approximately 9:55 a.m., Officers from the Manchester Township Police Department responded to a residence on 12th Avenue for a report of a burglary. Responding Officers observed an extinguished fire in the living room of the residence. Additionally, Officers observed antisemitic carvings on the interior door and walls. The residence is currently under construction and is unoccupied.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Manchester Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, revealed that the origin of the fire was along the south wall of the living room of the residence and the cause of the fire was determined to be incendiary by an unknown person using available combustibles.
Further investigation led to the identification of Brown as the individual responsible for breaking into the residence, starting the fire, and carving the antisemitic messages on the door and walls. Brown was taken into custody at Manchester Township Police Headquarters without incident. 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, Mancherter Township Police Department, Manchester Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation 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).