Vincente Carabello
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of 55-year-old VINCENTE CARABELLO of Rutherford, NJ on charges of aggravated arson, arson, risk of causing widespread injury or damage, criminal mischief, and assault. The arrest was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck and the East Rutherford Police Department under the direction of Chief Dennis Rivelli.
On Thursday, January 9, 2025, at approximately 11:24 a.m., the East Rutherford Police Department and the East Rutherford Fire Department responded to reports that a guest set fire to a room following a dispute at the Fairfield Inn hotel. East Rutherford Police Officers arrived on scene, and with the assistance of the Bergen County Regional SWAT Team’s countywide patrol units, which were in the area, determined that the suspect fled the hotel prior to their arrival. First responders tended to the fire in the hotel room and ensured all guests of the property were evacuated safely. No injuries were reported at the time of the incident.
The East Rutherford Police Department notified the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Squad of the fire and requested assistance from the Arson Task Force. Detectives and Arson Investigators from the Prosecutor’s Office responded to the scene and initiated a joint investigation. The investigation revealed that, following a dispute with hotel staff, VINCENTE CARABELLO intentionally set fire to his hotel room, activating the sprinkler system and causing damage to the property. CARABELLO fled the hotel room and physically assaulted a hotel staff member he encountered while fleeing. The staff member was not seriously injured. CARABELLO was later located by Detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and the East Rutherford Police Department.
As a result of the investigation, on Thursday, January 9, 2025, 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. VINCENTE CARABELLO was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending his first appearance in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack, NJ.
Prosecutor Musella states that the charges are merely accusations, and that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. He would like to thank the East Rutherford Police Department, East Rutherford Fire Department, the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bergen County Regional SWAT Team for their assistance during this incident. Additionally, Prosecutor Musella thanks the Washington Township Police Department and the Teaneck Fire Department for their participation in the Bergen County Arson Task Force.
