Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Chief Michael Postorino of the Paterson Fire Department announce the arrest of Nathan D. Santana, 20, of Paterson, for allegedly entering a motor vehicle parked at 97 East 20th Street in Paterson then setting it on fire.
Police said Santana's led to the two-story structure fire and two other parked vehicles in the area to catch on fire on Saturday.
There were no reported injuries to either civilians or firefighters.
The media’s publication of the flyer produced by the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Arson Unit, depicted still-shot photographs of the arson suspect, led to Santana turning himself into the Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes detectives on June 15th.
Police charged Santana by way of summons with one count of Arson in the third degree and one count of Burglary in the third degree.
Authorities processed and released Santana.
The Arson charge and the Burglary charge each carries a potential New Jersey State Prison sentence of up to five years.
Accordingly, Santana faces up to ten years in prison if convicted of both charges.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, Mr. Santana is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Anyone with additional information regarding this case is asked to call the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office “Tips” line at 1-877-370-PCPO. Information may also be provided electronically via email address: tips@passaiccountynj.org.