š„š LAKEWOOD MAN CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED ARSON AFTER SYNAGOGUE FIRE INVESTIGATION
Lakewood police arrested Yaakov Stern, 48, for aggravated arson following a fire at a local synagogue on Delaware Trail. While the blaze was initially considered accidental, investigators charged Stern after surveillance footage allegedly showed him intentionally setting fire to religious podiums.
š LAKEWOOD, NJ ā September 3, 2026
A fire at a Lakewood synagogue that was initially deemed not suspicious has led to an aggravated arson charge against a 48-year-old Lakewood man after investigators obtained surveillance footage they say showed the fire being intentionally set.
Yaakov Y. Stern, 48, was arrested September 3 in connection with the August 25 fire at Mordy's Shteibel, a stand-alone synagogue on Delaware Trail, according to court documents and the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.
The fire was reported at approximately 6:00 a.m. on August 25. After firefighters extinguished the blaze, the Ocean County Fire Marshal determined that the building was uninhabitable but initially classified the fire as not suspicious, according to a probable cause affidavit.
That assessment changed after Lakewood detectives received interior surveillance footage on September 3.
According to the affidavit, the video allegedly showed a man entering the synagogue's main learning room and approaching a religious podium covered with a blue cloth. Investigators allege the individual bent down and ignited part of the cloth before moving to another podium and allegedly setting its covering on fire as well.
The person then allegedly left the room and moved out of view of the surveillance camera.
Investigators described the individual as wearing a white short-sleeved button-down shirt, black pants, glasses and a yarmulke. The affidavit also noted that he was carrying six cross-body bags and had a large key ring attached to the front of his pants.
After reviewing the footage, detectives identified Stern as a person of interest.
Police subsequently located Stern at another synagogue in Lakewood. According to the affidavit, investigators said his clothing and other identifying characteristics appeared consistent with those seen in the surveillance footage. Another individual at the synagogue also reportedly confirmed Stern's identity.
The affidavit does not state a possible motive for the alleged fire.
āļø PREVIOUS COURT HISTORY
According to court records cited in the affidavit, Stern previously pleaded guilty to reckless driving following a 2019 incident in which he drove a school bus onto a sidewalk while attempting to avoid traffic.
State court records also show Stern was arrested in Lakewood in September 2023 and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and weapons offenses. He later pleaded guilty in December 2024 and was sentenced in January 2025 to 18 months of probation, along with other court-ordered conditions.
The prior cases are separate from the current aggravated arson allegations.
Stern remains subject to the court process in connection with the synagogue fire.
ā ļø PLEASE NOTE: The allegations described in this report come from court documents and authorities. An arrest or criminal charge is not a finding of guilt. Stern is presumed innocent unless and until he pleads guilty or is found guilty in a court of law.
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