Berkeley Township Man Accused of Torching Neighbor’s House

A Holiday City Berkeley resident is charged with aggravated arson, accused of setting fire to a house on his street, knowing that two people with medical disabilities were inside it at the time.

Daniel O'Leary, 51, was apprehended on the second-degree count Monday for the blaze that broke out late Friday night at 77 Barbuda Street. Ocean County investigators say both victims managed to escape the house safely.

In Ocean County Superior Court, O'Leary's bail was set at $150,000, with no option for release on payment of 10 percent. If tried and convicted, he'd be required to serve at least 85 percent of his sentence before parole eligibility under terms of New Jersey's No Early Release Act.

The case is still under investigation. County investigators ask anyone with information that might shed more light on it to call the Prosecutor's office at 732-929-2027 and speak with Detective Thomas Haskell at Extension 3953. Berkeley Township Detective Joseph Robertazzi is also reachable at 732-341-6600.