Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of Jay U. Freedman of 1265 15th Street, Apt. 8C, Fort Lee, NJ on a charge of Causing or Risking Widespread Injury or Damage. The arrest is the result of an investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Jason Love and the Fort Lee Police Department under the direction of Chief Matthew J. Hintze.
On Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at approximately 4:53 pm, the Fort Lee Police Department received a call from a resident of 1265 15th Street, Fort Lee, NJ. The caller reported a smoke/fire alarm activation in the residential high rise apartment building. First responders arrived on scene moments later and suppressed the fire located in apartment 8C. The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit Arson Squad was contacted by the Fort Lee Police Department and a joint investigation ensued.
On Wednesday, January 26, 2022, Freedman was arrested and charged with fourth-degree causing or risking widespread injury or damage, N.J.S.A. 2C:17-2c, and he was released pending his first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack, NJ on February 11, 2022 at 9:00a.m.
Prosecutor Musella states that the charge is merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and he would like to thank the Fort Lee Police Department for their assistance in this investigation.