Keansburg Man Arrested for Arson and Burglary of Borough Home

Eriberto R. Valentin, 55, of Center Avenue in Keansburg was arrested on Sunday and charged with second degree Aggravated Arson and third degree Burglary, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramicconi.

Valentin was found inside 34 Pineview Avenue on Sunday night by the residents upon returning to their home. Shortly after Valentin fled the residence, a fire appeared inside. Responding Keansburg police officers extinguished the flames. An investigation resulted in Valentin’s arrest a short time later.

The defendant is being held in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, Freehold Township, on $75,000 bail with no option to post ten percent, as set by Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Richard W. English. Judge English also ordered Valentin to have no contact with his victims and not to return to the scene of his alleged crimes should he make bail.

If convicted of Aggravated Arson, Valentin faces a sentence of five to ten years in prison, subject to the provisions of “No Early Release Act” (NERA) requiring him to serve 85 percent of the sentence imposed before becoming eligible for release on parole. He would also be under parole supervision for three years following his release from state prison.

If convicted of Burglary, Valentin faces a sentence of three to five years in prison.