Police Charge Manchester Man With Car Arson

A township man faces aggravated arson and other charges after Manchester Township Police responded to a car fire call early Monday morning.

Patrolman Joseph Reilly and Patrolman Michael Anderson were dispatched to 63 Kennedy Drive at 2:26 a.m. on April 28, 2014. There, they found smoke coming from a 2003 Chevrolet Impala, police said.

Police first confirmed that no one was inside the vehicle, then broke out a rear passenger window and extinguished the blaze. Personnel from the Whiting Volunteer Fire Company also responded to the scene to assist.

Officers observed signs that the fire may have been intentionally set. A suspect, John Gorman-Lukowicz, 40, of 60D Kennedy Drive, was identified by police.

The suspect later admitted to setting the blaze because he was unhappy with the relationship between his mother and the victim, police said.

Authorities charged Gorman-Lukowicz with aggravated arson and he was lodged in the Ocean County Jail in default of $35,000 bail, with no 10 percent option.

Gorman-Lukowicz was also issued summonses for illegal possession of prescription pills and criminal mischief. Officers also discovered he had outstanding warrants from Hamilton and Greenbrook totaling nearly $600, police said.