Story by Ethan
On January 9th, 2025, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of Vincente Carabello, age 55. Vincente Carabello, was charged with two counts of second-degree Aggravated Arson, N.J.S.A. 2C:17-1A(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C17-1A(2), respectively; second-degree Risk of Causing Widespread Injury and Damage, N.J.S.A 2C:17-2A(1); third-degree Arson, N.J.S.A. 2C:17-1B(2); third-degree Criminal Mischief, N.J.S.A. 2C17-3A(1); and Simple Assault, a Disorderly Persons Offense, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(A)1.
According to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, on January 9th, 2025, a dispute took place at the Fairfield Inn Hotel, that resulted in a guest intentionally setting fire to one of the rooms. At approximately 11:24 a.m., the East Rutherford Police Department, East Rutherford Fire Department, and the Bergen County Regional SWAT Team arrived in response to the reports about the fire. There were no injuries reported at the time of the incident, and it was determined that the suspect had fled prior to law enforcement arriving.
Following a joint investigation led by detectives and arson investigators from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Squad, Vincente Carabello was identified. Allegedly, Vincente Carabello got into a dispute with hotel staff, which then provoked him to setting his room on fire intentionally. The fire triggered the hotel’s sprinkler system, and caused extensive damage. Vincente Carabello also physically assaulted a hotel staff member while fleeing from the hotel, however the employee was not seriously injured.
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella stated that the charges against Vincente Carabello are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
