Toms River Arsonist Admits To Starting Brick Blaze That Injured 3 Firefighters: Prosecutors
A 51-year-old Toms River man pleaded guilty on Monday, June 9, to intentionally starting a fire in Brick Township, injuring three firefighters, authorities said.
Charles Maulbeck pleaded guilty to arson and criminal mischief, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said. Per the terms of a plea agreement, he is expected to be sentenced to three years in prison, Billhimer said.
On Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, Brick Township police saw smoke and heavy fire at a home on Falkenberg Road, Billhimer said. Two firefighters were treated and released from a nearby hospital, while a third dec…
2 Teens Caused Barnegat Blaze By Firing Flare Gun: Prosecutor
Two teenagers were arrested and charged Monday, June 9, after they started a fire in Barnegat by firing a flare gun last weekend, authorities said.
On Saturday, June 7, at 2:50 p.m. Barnegat Township police and fire departments responded to a home on Schooner Avenue for a report of a fire, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said.
The fire was extinguished prior to their arrival and an investigation revealed the fire was caused by Kaele Principato, an 18-year-old Barnegat resident, and Lucas Pyle, an 18-year-old Egg Harbor City resident, firing a flare gun through the window of t…
Fourth Teen Charged In $100K Tarrytown Lighthouse Arson Spree In Westchester (Update)
This story has been updated.
Four teens have been charged and a fourth is being sought after a weekend arson and vandalism spree caused heavy damage to the historic Tarrytown Lighthouse in Westchester County, police said.
The arrests were announced Friday, June 6, by Westchester County Police, who said two suspects—Elvin Ayavaca, 18, of White Plains, and Richard Barrero, 19, of Harrison—were arraigned in Sleepy Hollow Village Court.
Each is charged with three felonies: third-degree arson, third-degree burglary, and second-degree criminal mischief.
A third suspect, …
Victim Duct-Taped, Killed, Set on Fire After FaceTime Ransom Demand In Baltimore: DOJ
He FaceTimed the victim’s son, duct-taped and gagged his father in a chair, demanded weed and cash—then set the house on fire after riddling the man with bullets.
A Maryland man will spend more than 22 years behind bars for a shocking murder plot straight out of a crime thriller, federal prosecutors announced Tuesday.
Ziyon Thompson, 21, of Baltimore, was sentenced to 22 years and one month in federal prison this week for aiding and abetting the murder of Miguel Soto-Diaz, who flew in from California for a drug meeting that turned deadly, authorities said.
According to the guilty plea, Sot…
Dad Tried Blowing Up Uniondale Gov't Building Over Custody Dispute, Led $600K Fraud Scheme: DA
A Long Island father who tried to blow up a government building in a custody-fueled revenge plot pleaded guilty to a laundry list of charges, including multiple bomb-related crimes, mortgage fraud, and identity theft.
James Luca, age 47, admitted in Nassau County Court Monday, June 2, to trying to ignite explosive devices outside the county’s Department of Social Services building in Uniondale in September 2024.
Upset and aggrieved, he blamed Nassau County Child Protective Services for revoking his visitation rights with his children, as Daily Voice previously reported.
Luca placed two pro…
House Fire Kills Two Dogs, Cat; Plainview Tenant Charged With Arson, Animal : Police
A fire that killed two dogs and a cat inside a Plainview home led to the arrest of a tenant on arson and animal cruelty charges, Nassau County Police announced on Tuesday, May 27.
Jahan Kia, 40, is accused of setting a blaze inside the basement stairwell of a home on Eileen Avenue around 7:50 p.m. on Monday, May 26, according to a release from the Arson Bomb Squad.
Firefighters from Bethpage and surrounding departments responded quickly and extinguished the flames. No people were inside the residence at the time, but two dogs and a cat were found dead, police said.
Kia, identified as a ten…