BEACHWOOD ARSONIST ARRESTED
Robert A. Houser, 40, of Toms River was located on June 15 and subsequently charged with Aggravated Arson and Assault.
His arrest stems from the May 19, 2016 investigation by the Beachwood Police Department and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Investigation Unit into a shed fire set that date at approximately 5:20 am behind 417 Atlantic City Blvd. Beachwood Police and Fire Department responded quickly extinguishing the fire. The investigation found a witness who reported observing a male leaving the scene with a gas can and fleeing the area in a white Chevy Express van. The van was last seen heading south on Capstan Avenue.
It is believed Houser, the registered van owner, had fled the state. Because of a family connection in Toms River he returned to the area and while at Toms River Community Hospital on 6/15 committed an assault on a nurse. The Toms River Police Department took him into custody for the assault and contacted Beachwood Police Department officials, who charged him with the 5/19 arson.
Bail was set at $50,000 cash only on the Aggravated Arson and additional $5000 cash only on the Assault. He is remanded to the Ocean County Jail in default of bail. His picture courtesy the Ocean County Jail is attached. These charges are merely accusations and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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ROBERT ALBERT HOUSER
Houser’s van leaving fire scene
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