Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of Majd Abdallah, 26, of Carlstadt, on arson and burglary charges.
According to Prosecutor Musella, on Monday, February 21, at approximately 7:49 a.m., the Wood-Ridge Police Department received a report of an activated fire alarm.
Prosecutor Musella said that the call was initiated by a shared alarm system of the stores located at 251-257 Valley Boulevard, Wood-Ridge.
According to Prosecutor Musella, 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 Abdallah had set fire to the restaurant.
According to Prosecutor Musella, on Tuesday, March 1, Abdallah was arrested and charged with aggravated arson (person), aggravated arson (property), armed burglary, causing or risking widespread injury or damage, arson (person), and arson (property).
He was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending his first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack.