Nurse Held Co-Worker Hostage, Sets Fires At Work And Home, Police Say

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — A nurse was arrested on Thursday after he held a co-worker hostage and set fires at his apartment and workplace, the Camden County Prosecutor's Office said.

Just before noon Thursday, Gloucester Township Police officers and fire officials responded to the Cherrywood Apartments on Little Gloucester Road for a report of a fire at 25-year-old Taquan N. Ayers’ apartment.

The fire was put out before it could spread to other apartments, and no injuries were reported.

Detectives reviewed surveillance video of Ayers with a gasoline can at the complex, not long before the fire.

At around 12:03 p.m., officers with Winslow Township Police and fire officials responded to Oaks Integrated Care at 128 Berlin-Cross Keys Rd. for a report of an arson.

Authorities found a parked vehicle belonging to Ayers, a certified practical nurse at the facility, that had been set on fire.

After setting his car ablaze, Ayers went into the building with a gasoline can and poured the gas around the lobby area.

He tried to light a fire, but was unsuccessful.

He also threatened employees and took a co-worker hostage in a locked office for multiple minutes, officials said.

Ayers went back outside and was taken into custody without conflict.

A number of patients were also inside the facility at the time, but no injuries were reported.

Ayers will be taken to the Camden County Correctional Facility for a pending detention hearing in Superior Court.

Ayers was charged with:

• One count of first-degree attempted murder
• One count of first-degree kidnapping
• One count of second-degree attempted aggravated arson
• One count of third-degree terroristic threats
• Two counts of third-degree arson
• One count of second-degree aggravated arson
• One count of second-degree causing or risking widespread injury or damage

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Camden County Prosecutor's Office at (856) 225-8432, the Gloucester Township Police Department at (856) 374-5725, and the Winslow Township Police Department at (609) 567-0700 (ext. 1238).

Information can also be relayed through the CAMDEN.TIPS site.

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