By: Richard L. Smith
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella reported the arrest of Mr. Randy S. McMaster, a 42-year-old resident of Bloomingdale, in connection with an alleged arson incident.
The arrest follows a comprehensive investigation conducted jointly by the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, led by Chief Jason Love, and the Oakland Police Department, under the direction of Chief Keith Sanzari.
According to Bergen County officials, on Thursday, October 19, at approximately 3:15 p.m., the Oakland Police Department received a 911 call regarding a fire at the Optimum store located at 40 Potash Road in Oakland.
Responding officers arrived at the scene to find two Optimum service vans in the rear parking lot, both bearing signs of smoke and fire damage.
Fortunately, the fire had been extinguished before the arrival of the Oakland Police and Fire Departments.
A thorough investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit in collaboration with the Oakland Police Department unveiled unsettling details.
The inquiry suggested that Randy S. McMaster had intentionally set fire to both Optimum service vans, leading to criminal charges against him.
As a consequence of the investigation, on November 16, 2023, Randy S. McMaster was taken into custody in Paramus, NJ. He now faces serious charges, including second-degree aggravated arson, third-degree arson, and third-degree criminal mischief.
McMaster has been remanded to the Bergen County Jail, where he awaits his first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack, NJ.
The arrest marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation, and the authorities continue their efforts to gather all pertinent details regarding the incident.
Further developments will be reported as the case progresses through the legal system.