SOUTH TOMS RIVER — Two New York men have been indicted in connection with fires outside a Belmont Drive home in March, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced.
An Ocean County grand jury indicted Tashaun Normand, 42, of the Bronx, and Tahkem Boynton, 28, of Fresh Meadows, on Sept. 23. Each faces two counts of aggravated arson, conspiracy to commit aggravated arson and two counts of unlawful possession of a prohibited weapon.
Police and firefighters responding to a vehicle fire about 3:15 p.m. March 23 found flames inside a 2010 GMC Terrain and a separate fire in the grass near the home. Both fires were extinguished. Investigators also found a broken glass bottle and another bottle containing liquid with a rag tucked inside, which authorities said was consistent with a Molotov cocktail.
Investigators determined that the vehicle fire began at its front windshield and was intentionally set, according to the prosecutor’s office. Authorities allege Normand threw Molotov cocktails at the SUV and toward the residence. They allege Boynton helped plan the arson and was at the scene.
Tennessee state troopers arrested Normand on March 30 in Monroe County, Tennessee. He was returned to New Jersey on July 19 and remains in the Ocean County Jail. Boynton is being held at a New York correctional facility on an unrelated matter.
The charges are accusations. Both men are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
