Cops: Toms River Man Intentionally Burned Down His Sandy-Damaged Home

643The home at 634 Bayview Drive in Toms River burns down during a suspected arson. (Photo: TRPD)

Toms River police have charged a Toms River man with aggravated arson after they say he burned down his own home that was damaged in Superstorm Sandy.

Robert Raheb, 54, of Kettle Creek Road, has been charged in the March 2, 2014 fire that destroyed the home at 634 Bayview Drive, which he owned with his estranged wife, Gina, said police spokesman Ralph Stocco.

Robert Raheb (Photo: TRPD)

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Gina Raheb was taking care of the rebuilding of the home while her husband was temporarily living in Florida, Stocco said, but at one point Robert Raheb returned to Toms River and became involved in the restoration of the property.

A six month-long investigation led detectives to determine that the fire was incendiary in nature and evidence was developed that Robert Raheb intentionally set the blaze, Stocco said.

“There is no indication that his wife or any other family member had knowledge of this crime,” said Stocco. “It is believed that Mr. Raheb acted on his own.”

After being charged, Raheb was released on $50,000 bail pending a later court appearance.

Stocco said Ocean County Prosecutors Detective Tom Haskell, Ocean County Sheriffs CIU Officer Scott Frey, Sheriffs K-9 Officer Ted Wielichoski, and Toms River Fire Bureau Inspector Dominick Roselli were “instrumental” in the investigation.