SOMERS POINT — Two city residents were arrested March 24 and charged in connection with a home fire early that morning.
DeShaun Howard, 21, and Faith Tompkins, 18, were charged with aggravated arson, criminal mischief and conspiracy following an investigation by the Somers Point Police Department into a deck fire on the 100 block of Dawes Avenue.
Police Chief Robert Somers reported that officers responded to the scene at about 3:56 a.m. after receiving a report of a structure fire. Somers Point Volunteer Fire Company 1 also responded.
Somers said it became evident after the fire was extinguished that it had been intentionally set.
He said the home was occupied at the time of the fire and that all occupants escaped without injury. The home suffered moderate damage.
Somers said investigation resulted in the identification of Howard and Tompkins. Search warrants were executed at multiple locations in the city, ending in the apprehension of both. They were lodged in the Atlantic County Jail pending a detention hearing.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff