Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on June 9, 2025, Kaele Principato, 18, of Barnegat Township, and Lucas Pyle, 18, of Egg Harbor City, were each charged with Aggravated Arson and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, in connection with an incident that occurred in Barnegat on June 7, 2025.
On June 7, 2025, at approximately 2:50 p.m., the Barnegat Township Police and Fire Departments were dispatched to a home on Schooner Avenue for a report of a residential fire. Upon arrival, emergency personnel observed no active fire, and learned that the fire had already been extinguished by the residents. An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Barnegat Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office K-9 Unit, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, revealed that the origin of the fire was in the living room of the home, and the cause of the fire was incendiary by an unknown person or persons discharging a flare gun through the window of the residence – causing the window curtains to catch fire.
Continuing investigation by the aforementioned agencies identified Principato and Pyle as the individuals responsible for firing the flare gun into the residence and causing the fire before fleeing the scene.
On June 9, 2025, Principato and Pyle were taken into custody at Barnegat Township Police Headquarters. Both were transported to the Ocean County Jail where they are presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Squad, Barnegat Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office K-9 Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and Egg Harbor City Police Department, for their combined 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).