Albivi blaze claims life of suspect

MILLSTONE — An alleged burglary ended with the death of the suspect when the premises he was believed to be robbing caught fire.

N.J. State Police Sgt. Stephen Jones said firefighters discovered the body of Carl A. White, 24, Camden, in the boutique behind Albivi Brick Oven at 866 Perrineville Road. The Millstone Township Fire Department and the police responded to a two-alarm fire in the gift shop at 12:30 a.m. July 28 and discovered the body after the blaze was extinguished.

According to Jones, there were no signs of forced entry at the boutique. However, White had jewelry from the gift shop in his pockets, Jones said.

White is believed to have died from smoke inhalation, Jones said. Alcohol could have also played a role in the incident, he said.

Jones said police had not yet determined the cause of the blaze, but are considering that the fire began with a lit cigarette.

Prior to being discovered in the boutique, White had been attending a Saturday night party at the Clarksburg Inn on Stagecoach Road, Jones said. White allegedly got into a disagreement with someone at the party, and stole a 2001 Ford Explorer from the inn's parking lot, according to Jones.

White drove the stolen vehicle to Albivi and found his way into the boutique, Jones said.

While the boutique was damaged by smoke, the Albivi restaurant is open and serving patrons.

Vinny Castronovo, an owner of Albivi, and the boutique, said that the boutique was ransacked.

The owner of the Clarksburg Inn did not return calls about the nature of the party at his establishment.