Police said they were arresting a man breaking into cars when they realized he lit a fire in one.
BELLMAWR -- Borough police who apprehended a man they believed was breaking into vehicles Wednesday arrived just in time to put out the fire the man had started in one of the vehicles.
If the officers had not been there at 1:40 a.m. to extinguish the blaze before it got out of control, it may have consumed more than just the car. The vehicle was parked in a driveway, "extremely close to the residence," Bellmawr police said in a statement on their Facebook page.
"We would like to give special attention and thanks to Sgt. Michael Ryan, Corporal John Mader, and Patrolman David Kenney," the statement read. "If not for their quick actions this situation could have resulted to the total loss of a vehicle, a residence, and more importantly, the lives of the two residents that were sleeping inside their home."
The three officers became suspicious when they observed Anthony Costello, of the 400 block of Colonial Road, enter one parked vehicle. When he entered the second vehicle, they approached and arrested him, finding the small fire inside the car.
Costello is a suspect in multiple recent vehicle burglaries in the area, police said. He was charged with second-degree arson and two counts of burglary and theft.
Police said he was unable to post bail and was sent to the Camden County Jail.
Anyone with information on these or other vehicle breaks is asked to Bellmawr police at (856) 931-2121.
Rebecca Everett may be reached at reverett@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @rebeccajeverett. Find NJ.com on Facebook.