By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Ocean County announced that on October 15, Taquan Shelton, 43, of Lacey Township, was charged with Aggravated Arson in connection with an incident that occurred on October 15 in Lacey Township.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer stated that on October 15, at approximately 1:05 p.m., the Lacey Township Police and Fire Departments were dispatched to a home on Hillwood Road for a report of a residential fire.
Upon arrival, emergency personnel discovered that the furniture in the residence was on fire; they were able to extinguish the blaze, OCPO officials say.
A thorough investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Lacey Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigations Unit, New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office K-9 Unit, and Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, revealed that the origin of the fire was a couch and ottoman located in the living room, and the cause of the fire was incendiary by an unknown person using an open flame to ignitable liquid.
OCPO officials said further investigation led to the identification of Shelton, a renter of the residence, as the individual responsible for setting the fire.
Shelton was taken into custody at Lacey Township Police Headquarters, Ocean County authorities say. 
Ocean County officials said he was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.