Philadelphia man arrested and charged with arson and multiple burglaries in Berlin Township

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Township of Berlin, New Jersey – A Philadelphia man has been arrested and charged with setting multiple fires at a business and damaging several others in a series of burglaries in Berlin Township, Camden County District Attorney Grace C. MacAulay said , and OCI Lieutenant of the Berlin Canton Police Department, Ronald Silvestro.

On May 3, 2022, at approximately 3:46 a.m., officers from the Berlin Canton Police Department were dispatched on an alarm at the Pure Puff Vape Shop located on the 500 block of Route 73. During the ride, police were notified of reports that the business was on fire. Upon arrival, police and firefighters observed thick smoke coming from inside the business. Police also learned that five other businesses in the 500 block of Route 73 – Tullia’s Italian Restraint, Burger King, B-Tan Tanning Salon, Red, White & Blue Thrift Shop and Imported Car Care Center – had windows smashed by rocks .

Patrol officers then located a suspect, identified as Hector W. Herrington, 33, of Philadelphia, near Route 73. An investigation by detectives from the County Attorney’s Office Major Crimes Unit of Camden and the Berlin Township Police Department revealed that Herrington had been operating a U-Haul truck in the area when it ran out of gas. Detectives learned that Herrington then engaged in a verbal argument with a female companion, became disorderly and smashed windows at several businesses along the Route 73 corridor and started several fires inside the Pure Puff Vaping Shop. Herrington is also accused of entering several parked cars in order to steal items as well as attempting to steal a car. During the attempted carjacking of the car that was parked for repair at the Import Car Service Center, Herrington rammed the vehicle into the company’s metal gates in an attempt to get out of the fenced yard. No injuries were reported at any of the companies.

Herrington was charged with one count of second-degree arson, three counts of third-degree burglary, three counts of attempted third-degree burglary, six counts of third-degree criminal mischief, one count third-degree theft of a motor vehicle. , and a count of the fourth degree theft of a credit card. Herrington will be held pending a remand hearing.

Detectives were assisted in the arson investigation by members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), New State’s Office of the Fire Marshal Jersey, Camden County Fire Marshal’s Office and Berlin Fire Marshal’s Office.

Anyone with information relating to this case is asked to contact Detective Tanner Ogilvie of the Camden County District Attorney’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (856) 580-5819 or Detective Brian Lex of the Camden County Police Department. Canton of Berlin at 856-767-5878, ext. 235. Tips can also be sent anonymously to [email protected].

All persons accused of crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court.

Released May 3, 2022.

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