Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on July 2, 2026, John Algor, Jr., 24, of Little Egg Harbor Township, was charged with Aggravated Arson, Possession of a Destructive Device, and Hindering Apprehension, all in connection with an incident that occurred in Little Egg Harbor Township on July 1, 2026.
On July 1, 2026, at approximately at approximately 11:30 p.m., the Little Egg Harbor Police and Fire Departments were dispatched to a residence on Oneida Lake Drive for a report of a structure fire. First Responders determined that the homeowner had extinguished the fire with a garden hose. An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Little Egg Harbor Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, revealed that the origin of the fire was the northwest corner of the front porch of the residence. The cause of the fire was determined to be incendiary by an unknown person utilizing an open flame to available combustibles – specifically, combustible material soaked in an ignitable liquid and placed in a glass container.
Further investigation revealed that an individual arrived at the residence on a motorcycle, lit an object on fire, and threw the object at the residence before leaving the scene. Continuing investigation identified that individual as Algor.
On July 2, 2026, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad and Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department arrived at Algor’s residence and discovered a motorcycle with its license plates removed and covered by a tarp. Algor was taken into custody at the residence without incident. He was thereafter 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, Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, for their collaborative 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).