BCPO: CARLSTADT, NJ MAN CHARGED WITH ARSON, ARMED BURGLARY AND RISKING WIDESPREAD INJURY OR DAMAGE

Press release from the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office:

Maureen Parenta

2022-03-02

For Immediate Release:

March 2, 2022

Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of MAJD ABDALLAH (DOB: 2/07/1995; single; rideshare driver) of 602 Garden Street, Apartment 2, Carlstadt, NJ on arson and burglary charges. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Jason Love and the Wood-Ridge Police Department under the direction of Chief John Korin.

On Monday, February 21, 2022 at approximately 7:49 a.m., the Wood-Ridge Police Department received a report of an activated fire alarm. The call was initiated by a shared alarm system of the stores located at 251-257 Valley Boulevard, Wood-Ridge, NJ. Upon their arrival at the scene, along with members of the Wood-Ridge Fire Department, it was determined that there was smoke coming from the basement of Emilia Romagna Pizza & Ristorante, located at 247 Valley Boulevard. The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit Arson Task Force was notified and an investigation ensued.

An investigation conducted by detectives from the Wood-Ridge Police Department and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit determined that MAJD ABDALLAH had set fire to the restaurant.

On Tuesday, March 1, 2022, MAJD ABDALLAH was arrested and charged with second-degree aggravated arson (person), N.J.S.A. 2C:17-1a(1); second-degree aggravated arson (property), N.J.S.A. 2C:17-1a(2); second-degree armed burglary, N.J.S.A. 2C:18-2; second-degree causing or risking widespread injury or damage, N.J.S.A. 2C:17-2C; third-degree arson (person), N.J.S.A. 2C:17-1b(1); and third-degree arson (property), N.J.S.A. 2C:17-1b(2). He was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending his first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack, NJ.

Prosecutor Musella states that the charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and he would like to thank the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office and the Wood-Ridge Police Department for their assistance in this investigation.

This press release was produced by the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office. The views expressed here are the author’s own.