Upper Saddle River May 11, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 3 A 23-year-old Ramsey resident has been arrested for various offenses including aggravated arson and burglary. Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli announced the May 1 arrest of Brian Alvarez, who is employed as a laborer by the Haworth Department of Public Works, and is a volunteer firefighter in Allendale, Waldwick, and Haworth. The investigation is being conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Arson Squad and the Upper Saddle River Police Department. To date, investigators have learned the following: At approximately 4:28 a.m. on May 1, Alvarez called the Allendale Police Department and reported a structure fire on East Crescent Avenue in what he stated was either Allendale or Ramsey. Responding police and firefighters located the fire, which was at 168 East Crescent Avenue in Upper Saddle River. Alvarez claimed he had been driving down East Crescent Avenue and noticed the fire. Being a member of the Allendale Volunteer Fire Department, he immediately responded to the firehouse after reporting the Local firefighter faces charges of arson, burglary fire and was among the first on the scene to fight the blaze. Fire departments from numerous mutual aid departments, which included Ramsey, Allendale, Upper Saddle River, and Mahwah responded to fight the fire. One firefighter received a minor knee injury during suppression efforts. He was treated at the scene. The fire caused a significant amount of damage to the single family residence, which is abandoned and owned by the Borough of Upper Saddle River. Area fire departments have used the residence to conduct drills in the past, and it was learned that Alvarez took part in past drills and was aware the house was abandoned. The fire was immediately deemed suspicious since it occurred in an abandoned structure that did not have any working utilities and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Arson Squad was called to investigate. The arson investigators determined the fire was intentionally set in multiple areas in the rear of the house, both inside and on the exterior. Officials learned that this was not the first time Alvarez had reported a fire. In the past, he has called in vehicle fires and brush fires in several area towns. The investigation into those fires is continuing. Alvarez was charged with aggravated arson, second degree; arson, third degree; and burglary. third degree. His bail was set at $75,000, no 10 percent option. He was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending his first appearance on May 3 in Upper Saddle River Municipal Court. Prosecutor Molinelli states that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. He thanked all participating agencies for their assistance and cooperation, particularly the involved fire departments and the Upper Saddle River Police Department. 62 Franklin Tpk, Waldwick • 201-389-3961 �������� DRY CLEANING starting at ����� $350 $1 00 CRAFTSMANSHIP AND QUALITY MATERIALS COMBINED WITH HOME HARDWARE VALUE See Our Selection Of Wood Patio and Deck Furniture, You Won’t Believe How Much You Get For Your Money FREE ASSEMBLY Men’s dry cleaning * Shirts *with any Try it, Feel it, Love it. Why pay more? Organic Cleaning with the Most Advanced System from Germany a Picnic T ble FREE DELIVERY 27 Franklin Tpk, Waldwick Mon-Wed 7:30-6, Thurs & Fri 7:30-8, Sat 8-5 www.homehardwaresupply.com Adirond ac Chair k 201-652-5666 Open Sundays 9-3 presents... Presents 3RD ANNUAL SPRING GALA PERFORMANCE Saturday, June 4th, 1:00 PM & 7:00 PM At Berrie Center for the Arts, Ramapo College. ���������������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������������������