By: Richard L. Smith
Authorities in Bergen County have arrested three men accused of participating in an arson-for-hire scheme involving a residential fire in Upper Saddle River last year.
According to information released by Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella, the suspects were identified as Anthony V. Coviello, 54, and Joseph Vulpis, 62, both of Rumson, and Emad E. Gerges, 66, of Upper Saddle River.
The investigation stems from a May 16, 2025, fire at a home on Lake Road, where firefighters arrived around 2:23 p.m. to find the residence engulfed in flames.
Fire crews from Upper Saddle River and neighboring communities extinguished the blaze. Initially, investigators were unable to determine what caused the fire.
However, new information received in April 2026 prompted detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Squad to reopen the investigation.
Authorities allege that Gerges hired Coviello and Vulpis to deliberately set the home on fire.
Investigators determined that the two men entered the residence and used an accelerant and a homemade ignition device to start a fire in the attic.
Following a months-long investigation, Coviello was arrested at his Rumson residence on October 2, while Vulpis surrendered to police in Englishtown that same day.
Both men face multiple charges, including first-degree arson for hire, aggravated arson, conspiracy, and criminal mischief.
Gerges was arrested on October 16 with assistance from Saddle River Police. He faces first-degree arson-for-hire and second-degree conspiracy charges.
All three men appeared in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack and were subsequently released pending further court proceedings.