El fiscal del condado de Ocean, Bradley D.. Billhimer anunció que en marzo 27, 2026, Tashaun Normand, 42, of Bronx, Nueva York, was charged with two counts of Aggravated Arson and two counts of Possession of Destructive Devices in connection with an incident that occurred in South Toms River on March 23, 2026.
En marzo 23, 2026, aproximadamente a 3:15 pm., Officers from the South Toms River Police Department and Manitou Park Fire Company responded to a residence on Belmont Drive for a report of a vehicle fire. First Responders observed a fire in the interior of a 2010 GMC Terrain, as well as a separate fire on a grassy area adjacent to the residence; the fires were subsequently extinguished. Officers also observed a broken glass bottle, and a second glass bottle which contained an unknown liquid with a torn rag placed inside consistent with a Molotov cocktail.
A subsequent investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Oficina de detectives del Departamento de Policía de South Toms River, Oficina del Jefe de Bomberos del Condado de Ocean, y la Unidad de Investigación de la Escena del Crimen de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Ocean, revealed that the origin of the fire was the front windshield of the Terrain, and the cause of the fire was incendiary by an unknown person utilizing an open flame to available combustibles. Further investigation revealed that Normand was the individual responsible for making the Molotov cocktails and throwing them at the motor vehicle and in the direction of the residence. Normand was taken into custody in Monroe County Tennessee by the Tennessee Highway Patrol without incident on March 30, 2026. Normand is currently lodged in the Monroe County Tennessee Jail pending his extradition to New Jersey.
El fiscal Billhimer elogia la Oficina del Fiscal del Condado de Ocean., Oficina de detectives del Departamento de Policía de South Toms River, Oficina del Jefe de Bomberos del Condado de Ocean, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene investigation Unit, and Tennessee Highway Patrol for their combined and collective efforts in connection with this investigation.
Los cargos mencionados anteriormente son meras acusaciones y se recuerda a la prensa y al público que todos los acusados se presumen inocentes a menos y hasta que se demuestre su culpabilidad más allá de toda duda razonable en un tribunal de justicia..
RPC. 3.6(b)(6).