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By: Najla Alexander
According to Ocean County Township authorities, on November 23, Nicholas Depalma, 77, of Whiting, was charged with four counts of Aggravated Arson.
Officials say the charges consisted of one count of Aggravated Arson in connection with a series of fires set between January 1, 2022, and April 26, 2022, in Manchester Township.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad and the Manchester Township Police Department determined that Depalma was responsible for setting a series of five separate dumpster fires, authorities reported, between the dates of January 1, 2022, and April 26, 2022.
Four of the fires were set in proximity to structures causing damage to them, and one of the fires was set near a large wooded area.
Officials report on November 23, Depalma surrendered himself to Manchester Township Police Headquarters, where he was processed and released on a summons - as a consequence of bail reform, pending a future appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.
Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief Dolan commend the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit- Arson Squad and the Manchester Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office for their collaborative assistance in connection with this investigation leading to Depalma’s arrest, officials say.