New Jersey man charged with burning home, vandalism in antisemitic crime spree

MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP, N.J. — A New Jersey man accused of burning a house down and spray-painting Nazi symbols on more than a dozen homes this week in what authorities described as “acts of bigotry and hate” was arrested and charged with 36 criminal counts.

Ron Carr, 34, of Manchester Township, was charged with first- and third-degree bias intimidation, second-degree aggravated arson, third-degree arson, and fourth-degree criminal mischief, Attorney General Matthew Platkin and Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced Friday.

The charges stem from damage done to more than a dozen homes late Tuesday evening and into the early morning Wednesday.

“This crime spree and the antisemitism that it expressed caused pain, destruction, shock and fear among the residents of Manchester Township,” Platkin said. “No community in the State of New Jersey should feel vulnerable or anxious in the face of acts of intolerance. No resident should feel their personal safety or their home is threatened by bigotry, persecution and violence.”

How the crime spree unfolded

Manchester Township Police responded to calls about vandalism of homes in the Pine Lake Park area at about 11:45 p.m. on Tuesday, the news release said. Fourteen homes were vandalized; the locations were not released to protect the victims’ identities.

At about 3:11 a.m. Wednesday, police responded to a structure fire in the same neighborhood and received reports of a suspicious person on foot in the vicinity of the fire, the news release said. The person matched the description of the suspect in the criminal mischief incidents, who had been caught on security footage.

Police found Carr and took him into custody, according to the news release. Carr is now in a medical facility and will be taken to Ocean County Jail pending his detention hearing, the news release said.

Officials: ‘Bigotry’ won’t be tolerated

Authorities said the house was destroyed in the fire, and alleged Carr used an accelerant to set the fire. Three additional homes suffered heat damage when the flames from the house – which was under new construction – melted the siding on homes across the street and scorched some trees surrounding the scene. No injuries were reported.

“I am thankful no one was injured in these senseless acts of bigotry and hate,” Billhimer said. “This type of behavior will not be tolerated in Ocean County and the seriousness of these charges reflect our unwavering commitment to prosecuting bias crimes to the fullest extent of the law.”

Manchester Township Mayor Robert Arace said he is “profoundly grateful and proud” of the actions taken by the police, just hours after the incidents.

“In the face of adversity, let us unite against hate and intolerance,” Arace said. “Manchester is a place where compassion, respect and understanding prevail. We can build a community that exemplifies there values and ensures a safe and welcoming environment.”

Antisemitic crimes hit record last year

Hate crimes against the Jewish community in the United States hit a high in 2022, according to the Anti-Defamation League, which has tracked incidents since 1979.