Man Charged With Narcotics & Failing To Report Fire

40-Year-Old Cliffside Park Man Charged With Not Setting His Apartment On Fire And Narcotics Offenses

Wednesday, May 1, 2024, 2:00 P.M. ET. By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

CLIFFSIDE PARK, NJ.- A 40-year-old Cliffside Park, New Jersey man who fled his apartment following setting it ablaze while smoking crack cocaine was taken into custody on Sunday, April 28, 2024, and formally charged with narcotics offenses and failing to report a fire.

     According to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella, on Sunday, April 28, 2024, shortly after 10:30 a.m., members of the Cliffside Park Police Department and the Cliffside Park Police Department responded to a report of a fire located at 238 Palisades Avenue, Apartment 8 in Cliffside Park. 

     Following their initial response and fire suppression efforts, the Cliffside Park Police and Fire Departments contacted the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Arson Squad, because the fire appeared to be suspicious in nature. Detectives and Arson Investigators from the Prosecutor's Office arrived at the scene and initiated an investigation with Detectives of the Cliffside Police Department.

     The investigation determined that the apartment was unoccupied at the time of fire suppression, because the resident Christopher Perez, 40, of Cliffside Park left the apartment after the fire spread and did not contact authorities. While Detectives were attempting to determine the origin and cause of the fire, they located a white powdery substance believed to be the narcotic crack cocaine inside the residence. The exact cause of the remains undetermined.

     Accordingly, following the investigation, Detectives placed Perez under arrest and formally charged him with third-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance; fourth-degree Endangering the Life of Another, and Failure to Take Responsible Measure to Put Out or Control a Fire; and a Disorderly Persons Offense of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

     Following his arrest, Perez was transported to Bergen New Bridge Medical Center for medical evaluation and will make his first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack, New Jersey following being medically discharged.

"The rules of the court requires us to include a statement, that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt."

FILED UNDER: MAY 1, 2024: LAW, LOCAL, BERGEN: