Man Steals Laptop, Sets Fire To Dad's House In Toms River: Prosecutor

TOMS RIVER, NJ ? A Toms River man is accused of breaking into his father's home, stealing a laptop and then trying to set fire to the house, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office announced Tuesday.

John Voltolino Jr., 45, of Toms River, has been charged with aggravated arson, burglary, theft, and criminal mischief, in connection with the events that happened Monday, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Police were called to a home on Sun Valley Road about 5 p.m. Monday for the report of the burglary, Billhimer said.

The father told police his son, Voltolino Jr., had broken into the house and stolen a laptop. Police found broken glass in the bathroom and blood throughout the house, and could smell a strong odor of gasoline, Billhimer said. They also found signs of an extingushed fire on the living room floor next to a gasoline container.

Voltolino Jr. was found in the woods behind the house and arrested and charged with burglary and theft, he said.

After arson investigators examined the scene, they determined the fire had been intentionally set using paper towels, gasoline and an open flame, and that Voltolino Jr. was responsible, Billhimer said. He then was charged with aggravated arson and criminal mischief.

The prosecutor's office did not release any information on a motive.

He is being held at the Ocean County Jail in Toms River pending a detention hearing.

The Ocean County Prosecutor?s Office Major Crime?Arson Squad, Toms River Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff?s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and Ocean County Fire Marshal?s K-9 Unit collaborated on the investigation.