Philly Man Arrested and Charged for Arson, Multiple Burglaries in Berlin Township

Berlin, NJ - Hector W. Herrington, 33, of Philadelphia, has been arrested and charged with setting multiple fires in one business and damaging multiple others during a string of burglaries in Berlin Township.

On May 3, 2022, at approximately 3:46 a.m., officers from the Berlin Township Police Department were dispatched to an alarm at the Pure Puff Vape Shop located in the 500 block of Route 73. While en route, police were advised of reports that the business was on fire. Upon arrival, police and fire personnel observed heavy smoke coming from the interior of the business. Police also learned that five other businesses in the 500 block of Route 73 – Tullia’s Italian Restaurant, Burger King, B-Tan Tanning Salon, Red, White, and Blue Thrift Shop, and Imported Car Care Center, had windows that were broken by rocks.

An investigation led by detectives from the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Berlin Township Police Department revealed that Herrington had been operating a U-Haul truck in the area when it ran out of gas. Detectives learned that Herrington then engaged in a verbal argument with a female companion, became disorderly, and smashed windows of several businesses along the Route 73 corridor, as well as started multiple fires inside of the Pure Puff Vape Shop. Herrington is also accused of entering into several parked cars in order to steal items, as well as attempting to steal a car. During the attempted car theft of the car that was parked for repair at the Imported Car Care Center, Herrington rammed the vehicle into the business’s metal gates in an attempt to exit the fenced yard. No injuries were reported at any of the businesses.

Herrington was charged with one count of second-degree aggravated arson, three counts of third-degree burglary, three counts of third-degree attempted burglary, six counts of third-degree criminal mischief, one count of third-degree theft of a motor vehicle, and one count of fourth-degree theft of a credit card. Herrington will be held pending a pretrial detention hearing.

Detectives were assisted in the arson investigation by members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Camden County Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Berlin Fire Marshal’s Office.

Anyone with information pertaining to this case is asked to contact Detective Tanner Ogilvie with the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (856) 580-5819 or Detective Brian Lex of the Berlin Township Police Department at (856)-767-5878, ext. 235. Tips can also be sent anonymously to ccpotips@ccprosecutor.org.