Full Notification

For Immediate Release: March 11, 2023

Officers were called to the Absecon Train Station just after 10:30 AM on March 9, 2023. NJ Transit employees reported safety concerns after observing a brush fire near the train tracks.

Absecon Police and Fire responded and located a fire underneath the train bridge. It was there where officers encountered a man. The man’s lower extremities had caught fire. Officers made attempts to intervene, however, the man refused help and disregarded orders. Officers on scene immediately acted and pulled the man to safety. The man, identified as Owen Mastrocola, continued to be uncooperative and resisted arrest.

Absecon Police Department’s Arson Investigation Unit was called to scene. The investigation is on-going, however, the actions of the individual contributed to the fire. The investigation revealed that numerous individuals are using the train bridge as shelter.

ARRESTED: Owen C. Mastrocola, 52, Pleasantville, NJ

CHARGES: Terroristic Threats, Obstructing Administration of Law, Resisting Arrest, and other related offenses.

The Absecon Police Department was assisted by NJ Transit Police, Absecon Fire Department, Pleasantville Fire Department, and the NJ State Fire Marshal Arson/K9 Unit.

Anyone with additional information is urged to contact Arson Investigator Ptl. K. Epstein at (609) 641-0667 ext. 864.

Report anonymously with Crime Stoppers at 1-200-658-TIPS (8477) or text TIPCOP plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES).