OCEAN COUNTY, NJ – Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Little Egg Harbor Township Chief of Police James Hawkins have announced the arrest of 36-year-old Steven Johnson of Little Egg Harbor Township. Johnson faces three counts of Aggravated Arson related to separate fire incidents on January 6, 10, and 12, 2024, all occurring at the same residence in Little Egg Harbor Township.
The first incident was reported on January 6, 2024, around 1:30 a.m., involving a structure fire at a vacant building on Revolutionary Road. The Little Egg Harbor Police and Fire Departments responded and extinguished the fire. An investigation by multiple agencies, including the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad and the New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office K-9 Unit, determined the fire was deliberately set using an ignitable liquid and an open flame.
A similar incident occurred on January 10, 2024, at the same address, involving a shed fire. The investigation concluded this fire was also intentional, although the shed sustained no damage.
The final incident leading to Johnson’s arrest happened on January 12, 2024. Officers conducting surveillance at the residence observed Johnson, the next-door neighbor, set fire to the property’s attached deck. He was apprehended at his residence shortly after and taken into custody without incident.
Further investigation confirmed Johnson’s involvement in all three arson incidents. He is currently held at the Ocean County Jail, awaiting a detention hearing.