North Jersey Man Charged With Arson, Burglary In Pizza Shop Fire

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — A rideshare driver from Carlstadt faces arson and burglary charges in connection with a fire at a Wood-Ridge pizza restaurant, the Bergen County Prosecutor announced.

The fire began at Emilia Romagna Pizza and Ristorante the morning of February 21. Firefighters noticed smoke coming from the basement, and notified the county Arson Task Force.

Detectives from Wood-Ridge Police Department and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit began investigating, according to Prosecutor Mark Musella.

The detectives connected the fire to Majd Abdallah, 27, Musella said.

Abdallah was arrested Tuesday and charged with second-degree aggravated arson (person), second-degree aggravated arson (property), second-degree armed burglary, second-degree causing or risking widespread injury or damage, third-degree arson (person), and third-degree arson (property).