Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes, Clifton Fire Chief Frank Prezioso, and Clifton Police Chief Thomas Rinaldi announce that based upon an investigation by the Clifton Police Department, Mario A. Palma-Sanchez, 25 years old, from Clifton was arrested on Today in relation to an investigation that began on March 30, 2020.
Police say Mr. Palma-Sanchez is charged with two (2) counts of Aggravated Arson, Second Degree.
According to police on March 30, members of the Clifton Police Department and the Clifton Fire Department responded to a residence in the area of Highland Avenue in Clifton on a report of a fire.
Upon arrival, officers and firefighters found the occupied residence located at 148 Highland Avenue was on fire.
Police were able to connect this to a trash can fire reported at 122 Highland Avenue earlier that evening.
There were no injuries in either incident. Based on a review of surveillance footage, Mr. Palma-Sanchez was charged.
The sentencing exposure on second degree Aggravated Arson is 5-10 years in New Jersey State Prison.
Mr. Palma-Sanchez will appear at Central Judicial Processing Court on April 10, 2020.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or contact the Clifton Police Department at (973) 470-5900.