Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli announced today that an arrest warrant has been filed charging David M. Browne, 55, of Wyckoff, with one criminal count of arson.
On Tuesday, October 13, the Wyckoff Police Department received a report of fire in a detached garage located at 380 Wyckoff Avenue. The Wyckoff Police and Fire Departments responded to the location, and found Browne outside of the structure suffering from numerous injuries.
The fire ultimately destroyed the structure.
An investigation into the cause of the fire was initiated by detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, Arson Squad, and the Wyckoff Police Department, determined that Browne purposely set the fire with the use of an accelerant inside of the detached garage causing the destruction of the structure.
Browne was charged today with one (1) count of Arson for purposely setting the fire.
David M. Browne, who remains hospitalized at Hackensack University Medical Center, was released on his own recognizance (ROR) by the Honorable Russel B. Teschon, J.M.C., with the condition that he must surrender within 24 hours of his release from the medical facility.
At that time, he will be processed and a bail will be set.
The same day of the fire, Browne was placed on administrative leave by the Randolph school board without explanation.