MANCHESTER – A Township man has pled guilty to several charges after vandalizing homes with Nazi symbols as well as committing arson last year, officials said.
Ron Carr, 35, pled guilty to Arson, Bias Intimidation, and two counts of Criminal Mischief in connection with incidents that occurred in Manchester Township on June 6, 2023 and in the early morning hours of June 7, 2023.
At the time of his sentencing on August 16, the State will be seeking a term of seven years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) as to the Arson charge, five years NJSP as to the Bias Intimidation charge, and 18-month NJSP terms for both Criminal Mischief charges. The sentences are to run concurrently.
Around 11:45 p.m. on June 6, 2023, officers responded to the area of Pine Lake Park after receiving reports of vandalism to homes. A total of 14 homes were vandalized with spray paint – some to include Nazi symbolism. A description of the suspect believed to be responsible for the vandalism was given to police.
A couple hours later, officers again responded to the area of Pine Lake Park for a house fire. The home was destroyed in the fire and three additional homes suffered heat damage as well as flames spreading to the adjacent wooded area. No injuries were reported, officials said.
Officers received reports of a person on foot in the vicinity of the fire – that individual matched the description of the suspect in the earlier reported criminal mischief incidents.
Shortly afterwards, police located the suspect, later identified as Carr, in the area of Commonwealth Boulevard and Larchmont Street. He was taken into custody without incident.
Authorities determined that Carr was responsible for the vandalism to the homes and the arson that destroyed the home. Carr was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he has been lodged since his apprehension.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Ashley Angelo and New Jersey Deputy Attorney General Valerie Butler who are handling the case on behalf of the State, and commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Bias Crime Unit, New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice General Crimes Bureau, Manchester Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation leading to Carr’s guilty pleas, and soon his state prison sentence.
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