A New Brunswick man has been charged with aggravated arson after a fire at a four-unit apartment building in Franklin Township displaced 15 residents, including four children, and killed two pets.
Somerset County prosecutors identified the suspect as Perfecto Quintana, 56, also known as Perfecto Quintana Montes. He was arrested following an investigation into Friday afternoon’s fire at a building on Home Street in Somerset.
Fire Displaced Three Families
Firefighters were called to the building at about 3:45 p.m. Friday after a fire broke out in one of the apartments.
Authorities said three families were displaced, including 11 adults and four children. No residents were reported injured.
A dog and a cat found inside the affected residence died despite efforts to save them. The American Red Cross assisted the displaced families with temporary shelter.
Surveillance Video Led Investigators to Suspect
According to prosecutors, surveillance footage showed Quintana arriving near the apartment building in a vehicle and walking toward it while carrying a container close to his body.
Investigators say he was then seen walking up a staircase leading toward the apartment. A short time later, surveillance footage allegedly showed him coming back down the stairs carrying a pitcher that appeared to be empty.
He then drove away, and authorities received reports of the fire within minutes.
Police Found Him Driving Near the Scene
While investigators were still at the scene, people gathered nearby alerted officers that Quintana was driving in the area.
Police stopped him and said they observed signs of intoxication before taking him into custody.
Multiple Charges Filed
Quintana has been charged with aggravated arson, residential burglary, criminal mischief, criminal contempt and two counts of animal cruelty.
He was taken to the Somerset County Jail pending a court hearing.
The charges are allegations, and Quintana is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Source: News 12 New Jersey, citing the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office
By NJ RADAR Team