Arson, Criminal Mischief

[Lt. Robert Osborn]

On 6/23/18 at 1:49a.m., Newton Police responded to 33 Mill Street for a reported fire on the 2^nd floor of the high rise complex.

Upon arrival, a smoke condition was found on the 2^nd floor and Ptl. Michael Wolanski and Ptl. Mahir Kaylani entered the apartment and were able to extinguish the fire.  As a safety precaution, residents were also evacuated from the building.

Newton Fire Department responded and confirmed that the fire was out and ventilated the apartment.  Sussex County Fire Marshal responded and deemed the fire as suspicious.

A subsequent cooperative investigation led to the arrest of the apartment’s tenant, Simrah Siddiqui, age 24, for the following offenses:

N.J.S. 2C:17-1   Arson (3^rd Degree)

N.J.S. 2C:17-3   Criminal Mischief (4^th Degree)

 

Siddiqui was served with a summons and the case is pending an upcoming appearance in Sussex County Superior Court.

 

Officers/Agencies Involved:

Ptl. Michael Wolanski, Ptl. Mahir Kaylani, Detective Thomas Tosti, Sgt. Steve Benson

Sussex County Prosecutor’s Detective Thomas Laird

Newton Fire Department

Sussex County Fire Marshall Virgil Rome