GREEN CREEK – A local man was charged by Middle Township Police with aggravated arson and burglary of a motor vehicle following two incidents Oct. 7.
According to a release, at 3 a.m. Middle Township Police Department was dispatched for a report of a prowler outside a home on Lomurno Lane off Route 47. The reporting person indicated that there was a small fire outside the home which they had already extinguished.
Patrol officers along with detectives responded to investigate. No prowler was located, but evidence was recovered from the scene.
Later that day, at 6:45 p.m., patrol officers were dispatched to Bayshore Road near Green Creek Fire House for a report of a robbery.
When officers arrived they were suspicious of the robbery report, and determined the reporting person was the suspect in the early morning arson case.
William Gaston, 19, of Green Creek was transported to headquarters and interviewed by Middle Township Police Department Major Crimes Unit.
Gaston was subsequently charged with aggravated arson, and burglary of a motor vehicle.
He was placed in Cape May County Correctional Center in lieu of $150,000 bail. It was determined the robbery Gaston initially reported had not occurred.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
