A Gloucester Township man has been arrested and charged in connection with a series of arsons in Gloucester Township and Winslow Township, including fires at his apartment and workplace, reported Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay, Gloucester Township Police Chief Anthony Minosse, and Winslow Township Police Chief Donald Lemons.
Taquan N. Ayers, 25, a licensed practical nurse at Oaks Integrated Care, was charged with one count each of 2nd-degree Aggravated Arson and 2nd-degree Causing or Risking Widespread Injury or Damage in Gloucester Township. He was also charged with two counts of 3rd-degree Arson and one count each of 1st-degree Attempted Murder, 1st-degree Kidnapping, 2nd-degree Attempted Aggravated Arson, and 3rd-degree Terroristic Threats in Winslow Township.
On Thursday, June 4, 2026, at approximately 11:52 a.m., officers from the Gloucester Township Police Department and fire personnel responded to the Cherrywood Apartments located at 1200 Little Gloucester Road in reference to a fire at Ayers’ apartment. The fire was extinguished before it could spread to other apartments. No injuries were reported.
During the investigation, detectives obtained surveillance video of a suspect – identified as Ayers – in possession of a gasoline can at the apartment complex shortly before the fire.
At approximately 12:03 p.m., officers from the Winslow Township Police Department and fire personnel responded to Oaks Integrated Care located at 128 Berlin-Cross Keys Road in reference to an arson at the facility. Upon arrival, officers encountered a parked vehicle belonging to Ayers that had been set on fire outside of the business. The suspect – identified as Ayers – was taken into custody at the scene.
During the investigation, detectives learned that Ayers had set fire to his vehicle and then entered his workplace with a gasoline can. Once inside, Ayers doused the lobby area in gasoline and attempted to light a fire, but he was unsuccessful. Ayers also made threatening comments toward fellow employees and kept a co-worker confined in a locked office for several minutes. He ultimately went outside and was taken into custody without incident. Numerous employees and patients were inside the facility at the time of the incident. No injuries were reported.
Ayers will be remanded to the Camden County Correctional Facility, pending a detention hearing in Superior Court.
This remains an active and ongoing investigation. No further information will be released at this time.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Felicia Tilton of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 856-225-8432, Detective Doug Wallace of the Gloucester Township Police Department at 856-374-5725, and Detective Kris Austin of the Winslow Township Police Department at 609-567-0700, ext. 1238. Tips can also be sent to CAMDEN.TIPS.
All individuals charged with crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
https://camdencountypros.org/news/article/2965
