For Immediate Release:  April 27, 2020

On April 26, 2020, a man was arrested after pouring gasoline on a parked van and setting it on fire after threatening the owner due to his ethnicity.

At 1:35 pm, patrol officers and the Atlantic City Fire Department responded to a vehicle fire on the westbound side of Route 40 under the Atlantic City High School overpass.  The vehicle was parked on the shoulder of the roadway while the owners were fishing nearby.  The owner observed Robert Evans pouring gasoline on the hood of the van.  When confronted, Evans asked the owner if he was Mexican.  After the owner said that he was, Evans threatened to assault the owner and set the van on fire leaving the can directly in front of the van.  Sergeant Chris Miller quickly located and arrested Evans.  The van sustained significant damage.    

ARRESTED:  Robert Evans, a 29-year-old man from Pleasantville, NJ.

CHARGES:  Bias intimidation (a first degree charge), aggravated arson, and criminal mischief.

Evans was remanded to the Atlantic County Justice Facility.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact the Criminal Investigations Section at 609-347-5766 or anonymously text to tip411 (847411).  Begin the text with ACPD.

Alert sent on 04/27/2020 at 10:16AM EDT

To submit a tip via text message text ACPD and your tip to 847411

Alert delivered to the following groups: Atlantic City PD, Business Alerts, Press Releases, Westside Civic Association, Westside Homeowners Protective Association, Tanger Outlet, Chelsea Neighborhood Civic Association, Venice Park Civic Association, Marina District, Stanley Homes Village, First Ward Civic Association, Carver Hall, Chelsea Heights, Bungalow Park Civic Association, The Cove Condo Association, CRDA, Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, Security Directors , City Adminstration, and Communications

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