'Suspicious' House Fire, Spraypainted Swastikas Probed In Manchester: NJ AG

MANCHESTER, NJ — A bias investigation is underway in Manchester Township, where swastikas were spraypainted on several homes and a house fire has been labeled suspicious, the state Attorney General's Office announced Wednesday evening.

One person has been arrested, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said in a joint announcement.

The person's name "is not been released at this time," authorities said.

The spraypainted swastikas and the house fire happened Tuesday, authorities said. They did not release details of how many homes were spraypainted or details about the house fire.

Manchester police had sent an alert Tuesday evening about a fire in the Beckerville area, but it was unclear Wednesday whether that was the house fire that was under investigation in the probe.

"Random acts of hate designed to instill fear and to violate New Jerseyans’ sense of security and belonging, solely based on who they are and what they believe in, will be dealt with swiftly and harshly by law enforcement," the joint statement said. "Those who feel entitled to trample on their neighbors’ rights to live in peace and exercise their constitutional freedoms will not find a safe haven in New Jersey."

"Multiple law enforcement agencies are collaborating in the ongoing investigation into these crimes, which resulted in several instances of vandalism and property damage around Manchester Township," the statement said.

The state Division of Criminal Justice, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Major Crime Unit, Arson Squad, and Bias Crime Units, and the Manchester Township Police Department are working cooperatively on the joint investigation into the house fire, authorities said.

"We want to express our gratitude to the diligent and dedicated staff of the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office and the Manchester Township Police Department, who are working hard to resolve this case," authorities said.