HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP, N.J. – Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor and Hillsborough Township Chief of Police Michael McMahon announced the arrest of Jacklyn McLoughlin, 33, Treeman Drive, Hillsborough in relation to an arson that occurred on April 20, 2020 in the Township of Hillsborough.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that on Monday, April 20, 2020, at approximately 11:10 p.m., Hillsborough Township Police Department received a 9-1-1 call reporting a structure fire at an apartment on Treeman Drive in Hillsborough.
Hillsborough, Neshanic, Franklin-Elizabeth Avenue, Franklin-Millstone and Somerville fire companies responded to the fire.
Detectives from the Hillsborough Township Police Department and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Fire Investigation Unit responded to the scene to conduct an investigation.
During the course of the investigation, it was determined that three separate fires were intentionally set within in the residence.
A neighbor reported seeing Jacklyn McLoughlin, the occupant of the residence fleeing the scene with her three children prior to the arrival of the fire department and police.
The fire resulted in the displacement of three additional tenants in the building as a result of water damage from extinguishing the fire.
Detectives from the Somerset County Major Crimes Unit and Hillsborough Township Police Department also responded to conduct the investigation.
The investigation revealed that the fires which were planned were deliberately set by McLoughlin.
Detectives with the assistance of Perth Amboy Police Officers were able to locate McLoughlin at a residence in Perth Amboy.
The children were also located and subsequently released to a family member.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that as a result of this investigation, on Thursday, April 23, 2020 defendant McLoughlin was arrested and charged with 2nd degree, Aggravated Arson, 2nd degree Widespread Injury or Damage, 2nd degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and 3rd degree Hindering Apprehension.
Defendant McLoughlin was lodged at the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing in this matter.
Prosecutor Robertson would like to thank members of the Philadelphia Police Department, Perth Amboy Police Department and the New Jersey State Police Missing Person’s Unit for their assistance in this investigation.