By: Richard L. Smith
Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office officials announced the arrest of 36-year-old Sean P. McDermott, who has recent addresses in Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania and East Moriches, New York, following an attempted arson incident at a hotel in East Rutherford.
According to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella, the arrest stems from a joint investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Jeff Angermeyer and the East Rutherford Police Department under the direction of Chief Dennis Rivelli.
Authorities said that on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at approximately 10:35 a.m., East Rutherford police responded to reports of unusual activity at the Residence Inn by Marriott East Rutherford.
Upon arrival, hotel staff informed officers that they had discovered burning clothing inside a pot placed on an electric stove in one of the guest rooms.
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Squad responded to the scene and launched a joint investigation with local police.
Investigators determined that McDermott, who was staying at the hotel, allegedly placed clothing into a pot on the electric stove, turned the stove on, and then left the property.
Hotel staff detected the smell of smoke, entered the room, and shut off the stove before the clothing fully ignited, preventing what authorities say could have been a far more serious incident.
Detectives later determined that McDermott fled toward New York City after leaving the hotel. 
The New York City Police Department was notified as part of the ongoing investigation.
McDermott has been charged with second-degree attempted aggravated arson (N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1a(1)/2C:17-1a(1)), third-degree attempted arson (N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1a(1)/2C:17-1b(1)), and fourth-degree recklessly creating a risk of widespread injury or damage (N.J.S.A. 2C:17-2c).