By: Richard L. Smith
NJ Attorney General Platkin and Ocean County Prosecutor Billhimer have joined resources to investigate a bias incident where several residential properties were spray-painted with swastikas and a suspicious house fire ignited in Manchester Township on Tuesday.
One suspect has been taken into custody, but the individual’s name is not being released at this time.
NJ Attorney General Platkin said random acts of hate designed to instill fear and to violate New Jerseyans’ sense of security and belonging, solely based on who they are and what they believe in, will be dealt with swiftly and harshly by law enforcement.
Those who feel entitled to trample on their neighbors’ rights to live peacefully and exercise their constitutional freedoms will not find a safe haven in New Jersey.
The New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Major Crime Unit, the Arson Squad, the Bias Crime Units, and the Manchester Township Police Department are working cooperatively on the joint investigation into that incident.
The investigation is ongoing, and no further information is being released at this time.