Toms River, NJ, Realtor Accused of $1M Arson

A Toms River man has been arrested in connection with the torching of a commercial fleet of vehicles in Wall earlier this fall, causing more than $1 million in damages.

Harcourt “Paul” S. Ward, 69, has been charged with four counts of second-degree arson.

After 10 PM on Sept. 26, Wall police received an emergency call reporting a fire within the 1900 block of Atlantic Avenue in the Manasquan section of town, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said.

Area of Wall where a fire was set in September (Google Maps)

Businesses on that stretch of road include an auto repair shop and an excavation contracting company.

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When officers of the police force and Monmouth County Fire Marshal’s Office arrived, six vehicles were in flames.

The arson was then traced back to Ward, of Ward Realty and Insurance in Point Pleasant, Santiago said.

Anyone with information regarding this case can contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Joshua Rios at 800-533-7443 or Wall Township Police Detective Zach Honecker at 732-449-4500.

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