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SOMERVILLE, N.J. – Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., and Somerville Chief of Police Dennis Manning announced the arrest of Dashawn Holmes, age 40, East Main Street, Somerville, New Jersey in relation to an arson which occurred on the late evening hours of October 25, 2023. Prosecutor McDonald stated that on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at approximately 11:57 p.m., officers from the Somerville Police Department and Fire Department responded to a fire alarm activation at an apartment building located on East Main Street. Upon arrival, members of the Somerville Fire Department were able to extinguish the fire. While on scene, Somerville Firefighters located a tenant unconscious in the apartment. The tenant, identified as Dashawn Holmes, was subsequently transported to an area hospital for treatment. The Somerville Fire Marshall responded to the scene and determined the fire to be suspicious in nature. Detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Crime Scene and Fire Investigation Unit and Major Crimes Unit responded along with detectives from the Somerville Police Department to investigate. The investigation revealed that Dashawn Holmes intentionally set the fire to the apartment.As a result of this investigation, on Monday, October 30, 2023, defendant Dashawn Holmes was arrested in Toms River without incident and charged with 3rd degree Arson. Defendant Dashawn Holmes was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing in this matter.Prosecutor McDonald, Chief Roman, and Chief Manning request anyone with information regarding this incident to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100 or the Somerville Police Department at (908) 725-0331 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential. NOTE: The charges are merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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