John Voltolino (Photo: Ocean County Jail)
A 45-year-old Toms River man is behind bard Monday following his arrest of charges of breaking into his father’s home, than using a Molotov cocktail-like device to set a fire in the living room.
Toms River police officers were called to Sun Valley Road for a report of a burglary Monday at about 5 p.m., police spokeswoman Jillian Messina said.
The homeowner reported that his son, identified as John Voltolino, Jr., broke into the residence and stole a laptop. Responding officers observed a broken window in the bathroom on the first floor, as well as blood throughout the residence, said Messina. Additionally, a strong odor of gasoline was detected, and an extinguished fire on the living room floor – adjacent to a gasoline container – was seen by the officers.
An investigation determined that Voltolino, Jr. “was, in fact, responsible for the burglary of his father’s residence and theft of the laptop,” the statement said. “Voltolino, Jr. was subsequently discovered in a wooded area behind the residence and placed under arrest for burglary and theft.”
It was determined after an investigation by a number of agencies that a fire had been intentionally set in the living room utilizing an open flame, paper towels, and a gasoline container. Further investigation revealed that Voltolino, Jr. was responsible for setting the fire that had been extinguished, it is alleged. As a consequence, Voltolino, Jr. was additionally charged with aggravated arson and criminal mischief. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
