Minors Suspected of Arson, Burglary at Ridge Road Condo Complex
Four juveniles allegedly stole items from storage units and a garage, and set a basement fire Wednesday evening, police say
Four minors could face arson and burglary charges following a small fire that broke out in the basement of a Hawthorne Lane condominium Wednesday evening, according to township police.
The four juveniles are believed to have started the fire using “paper towel rolls as an ignition source” at approximately 6:40 p.m. on Wednesday, according to Mahwah Police Chief James Batelli. The Mahwah Fire Department quickly extinguished the fire, which resulted only in a lot of smoke, authorities said.
Local residents also reported break–ins at two storage units and a garage in close proximity to the basement fire, Batelli said. Bicycles and other personal belongings were allegedly stolen from the units and garage, he said.
Mahwah Police Officers Sean Hayes and Ryan Hill located the suspects walking through a wooded area near Pepperidge Road and Sycamore Lane after residents provided descriptions of the four youths, Batelli said. Bergen County K-9 units also responded to the scene to help locate the suspects.
Mahwah Detective Guido Businelli is continuing interviews and questioning the four juveniles believed to be involved, as well as their parents, Batelli said. At least one of the families has obtained legal counsel and is no longer cooperating with police, he said.
Mahwah Arson Investigator Officer Michael Blondin is also investigating, Batelli said.
Police expect to press charges for a “variety of serious offenses” against the four minors, Batelli said. “The attempted arson of an occupied dwelling is [an] extremely serious offense considering the potential for personal injury that could have occurred if the fire had spread throughout the unit.”
Batelli credited the “quick action of the fire department for containing and extinguishing the fire” and the “quick action of the police officers for locating area juveniles and obtaining information that led to the identification of those involved."
Nick
2:33 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
The names/descriptions of the kids should be provided to the Condo Management for all of the associations (Darlington Ridge, Society Hill and Ridge Gardens).
KM
2:43 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
WAY TO GO MAHWAH FD & PD!!
Names are not released (by police) in juvenile cases. We will know soon enough though. They're 13 I'm told. THIRTEEN!
Regenbogen
3:12 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Hopefully these young adults will receive a punishment for what they did and not a slap on the wrist! These are serious crimes if they did commit them .
hsr
3:44 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
You know at the time this happened it was already dark out. There is no reason to be out for kids without a purpose set up by parents. This is always when they get bored and get into trouble. I blame the parents. Some kids are not able to be unsupervised.
Mahwah Fire Rescue Company 1
4:07 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Members of Fire Departments across Bergen County, including here in Mahwah, participate in the Bergen County Juvenile Fire Setter program. We do so on a volunteer basis. It is a program we strongly believe in and has helped numerous youths through the years.
Next week is fire prevention week and the Mahwah FD will go to each school to teach the students about fire safety. The discussion should also happen at home. Please check out the attached link for the Bergen County Fire Setter website for some useful information and talking points.
http://www.bcfppa.org/juvenile_firesetters.htm
Chris
6:11 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
I don't know what's going on in Mahwah lately. It seems like the kids are out of control. I agree with @hsr and I blame the parents as well. I also agree with @nick and feel the names should be released. I would love to know who these punks are...so my kids don't ever associate with them. It's just a matter of time before the kids at school find out.
Gottardo DiGiacopo
12:19 pm on Sunday, October 7, 2012
Chris, respectfully, what should we do with punks, and how do we avoid them? what if it was our children who were the perpetrators?... would released names, and them being ostracized, be the cure? maybe so; i'm gald i haven't needed to give it so much thought. it seems Mahwah Fire Rescue Company #1 has the right idea.... it offers a tangible degree of prevention as a 'solution' over say "blaming the parents". Looking out for parents and their children at risk, might be another way of helping. These are very seriou crimes and crimes are indeed rough for everyone!
Leaking Ink
8:52 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
This is very serious. Someone could have died. Thank God no one got hurt.
Andre JP
8:57 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
Great job, Mahwah FD!!!
Sandy
10:02 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
Where were the parents of these delinquents? Shame on all of them, the juveniles and their parents. Thankfully no one was injured. Hopefully they will receive proper punishments
Gottardo DiGiacopo
12:20 pm on Sunday, October 7, 2012
Yes, proper is key.
Hank
10:32 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
another house got broken into in West Mahwah yesterday
Regenbogen
1:25 pm on Friday, October 5, 2012
West Mahwah has had several daytime robberies. Maybe Mahwah police could be more visible..
Bianca
9:57 am on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
6 cars were broken into in different hotels in mahwah this morning