Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Pemberton Township Police Chief David Jantas announced that a Pemberton Township man has been charged with stabbing his brother in the home that they share after his brother tried to prevent him from setting the residence on fire following an argument.
Thomas E. Pearson, 55, of the 400 block of Dartmouth Avenue, was charged with Aggravated Arson (Second Degree), Aggravated Assault (Third Degree), Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (Third Degree) and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Fourth Degree).
The investigation began when officers from the Pemberton Township Police Department were dispatched to the residence on Saturday at approximately 5:15 p.m. on a report of a domestic disturbance and an active house fire.
The investigation revealed that Pearson entered the garage and retrieved a can of gas following an argument with his brother, who is three years younger. He then poured gas at different locations in the house and started the fire. When his brother tried to stop him, Pearson stabbed him with a knife.
The fire was quickly brought under control by the Pemberton Township Volunteer Fire Department.
Pearson has been placed in the Burlington County Jail pending a detention hearing later this week. The case will then be sent to a Burlington County Grand Jury for possible indictment.
The case was investigated by the Pemberton Township Police Department and the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office. The lead investigators are PTPD Detective Sgt. Robert Hood and BCPO Detective Erica Ridge.
All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.