El fiscal del condado de Ocean, Bradley D.. Billhimer and Manchester Township Chief of Police Robert Dolan announced that on November 23, 2022, Nicholas Depalma, 77, de merlán, was charged with four counts of Aggravated Arson in violation of NJSA. 2C:17-1a (2) and one count of Aggravated Arson in violation of NJSA. 2C:17-1a (5), in connection with a series of fires that were set between January 1, 2022 y abril 26, 2022, en el municipio de Manchester.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad and the Manchester Township Police Department determined that Depalma was responsible for setting a series of five separate dumpster fires, in Manchester Township between the dates of January 1, 2022 y abril 26, 2022. Four of the fires were set in proximity to structures causing damage to them and one of the fires was set near a large wooded area.
En noviembre 23, 2022, Depalma surrendered himself to Manchester Township Police Headquarters where he was processed and released on a summons – as a consequence of bail reform, pending a future appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.
Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief Dolan commend the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad and the Manchester Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit and Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office for their collaborative assistance in connection with this investigation leading to Depalma’s arrest.
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).