Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on March 4, 2024, Edward Petroni, 41, of Plumsted Township, was charged with two counts of Aggravated Arson, Burglary, and two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, in connection with a series of events that occurred in Plumsted Township and Jackson Township on March 1, 2024. Additionally, the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife charged Petroni with Disturbing Vegetation, Soil, Mineral or other Property of the State, Causing Injury or Damage to Structure of a Building, and Setting, Starting, Building, or Maintaining a Fire in a State Wildlife Management Area.
On March 1, 2024, at approximately 1:20 p.m., what was initially believed to be a shed fire was reported in the area of Maple Avenue and Brown Road in Plumsted Township. Upon arrival at the scene, emergency personnel observed an enclosure used as a bus stop engulfed in fire. The fire was extinguished, and the Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office was requested to respond. The Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office conducted an investigation, and determined the cause of the fire to be incendiary by an unknown person or persons utilizing an open flame to available combustibles.
Later that same day, at approximately 5:00 p.m., a structure fire was reported in the area of Hawkin Road in Jackson Township. Upon the arrival of emergency personnel, a single-story, unoccupied structure was observed to be heavily engulfed in fire. The fire was extinguished, and the Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office was requested to respond. The Fire Marshal’s initial investigation revealed that the structure had been abandoned for an extended period of time and was in a state of decay. It was learned that the structure was unsecured and devoid of any utilities or appliances, and is owned by the State of New Jersey. Accidental causes were eliminated, and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad was requested to respond.
On March 2, 2024, at approximately 8:00 a.m., detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office K-9 Unit, and New Jersey Conservation Police, returned to the scene for the purpose of conducting an examination into the cause and origin of the fire. It was determined that the fire originated in the center of the floor of the structure’s interior; the cause of the fire was determined to be intentionally set by an unknown person or persons utilizing an open flame to available combustibles.
Through continuing investigation, law enforcement identified Petroni as the individual responsible for setting both fires in Plumsted and Jackson. As such, Petroni was taken into custody without incident on March 4, 2024 and charged accordingly. At the time of Petroni’s arrest, two knives were found to be in his possession. He was taken to Jackson Township Police Headquarters for processing, and thereafter transported to the Ocean County Jail where he presently remains lodged pending a detention hearing.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Plumsted Township Police Department, Jackson Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office K-9 Unit, and New Jersey Conservation Police, for their combined and collective assistance in connection with this thorough and extensive investigation resulting in Petroni’s swift apprehension.
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).