A Pleasantville man set a fire inside an Atlantic City motel room to distract from a burglary, police said.
Earl Cooper, 31, was arrested Saturday morning for stealing nearly $700 worth of liquor in a Feb. 24 burglary.
Officers Kevin Perez and Christian Ivanov recognized Cooper, who was wanted for burglarizing Girasole, and causing property damage, Lt. Kevin Fair said.
An investigation led by Detectives Joseph Procopio and Matthew Cocuzza found Cooper initially started a fire inside the Quality Inn across street, Fair said.
Detectives believe the fire was meant as a distraction to allow Cooper to burglarize the nearby business.
Atlantic City firefighters extinguished the fire. There were no injuries.
Cooper is charged with arson, theft, criminal mischief and two counts of burglary.
He is in the Atlantic County Justice Facility.
