Mediaboss Marketing

An Egg Harbor Township man who intentionally set a Lakewood home on fire, with people inside, in August of 2020 has been indicted by a Grand Jury in Ocean County.

Listen toVin Ebenau mornings on Townsquare Media Jersey Shore Radio Stations, email him news tips here, and download our free app.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced the indictment Thursday of 26-year oldJamal Preston forAttempted Murder and four counts of Aggravated Arson in connection with the fire ata home in Lakewood on August 22, 2020.

Lakewood Police responded to the fire first on that Saturday and as the investigation continued alongside theOcean County Prosecutors Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Ocean County Sheriffs Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Ocean County Fire Marshals Office, and New Jersey State Fire Marshals K-9 Unit, it was learned that the fire wasintentionally set "utilizing an ignitable liquid and an open flame."

As the OCPO, Lakewood Police and responding agencies continued the investigation, it led them to identifying Preston as the suspect who torched a home that had three people inside the residence.

He had fled the scene andwas arrested at a motel in Absecon by the U.S.Marshals Service on August 31.

Prestonhas been in the Ocean County Jail since his arrest.

Prosecutor Billhimer said that Senior Assistant Ocean County Prosecutor Meghan ONeill is handling the case on behalf of the State.

Read more:
Egg Harbor man who intentionally set Lakewood home on fire with people inside, has been indicted - 943thepoint.com