Jersey City Woman Set Fire Near Pulaski Skyway, Tried To Stop Homeless Man's Escape: PD

JERSEY CITY, NJ — A Jersey City woman set a fire beneath an underpass and then tried to stop a man from escaping and calling for help, police say.

Janet Leigh Mullone, 23, of Jersey City, was arrested Sunday night and charged with aggravated arson, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and criminal restraint, police said.

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Police said that on Sunday, just after 2:30 p.m., they received a report of a fire near 276 Tonnelle Ave. The area is beneath the Route 9 approach to the Pulaski Skyway.

Police saw flames beneath the underpass, a spokesperson said. The Fire Department extinguished the blaze.

Investigators determined that a 57-year-old man was sleeping in a "confined area" behind a guardrail at the scene.

He awoke to the flames, and tried to put the fire out with his feet, police said.

He then saw the woman, whom he didn't know, pour something onto the fire, which caused it to spread, police said.

"The woman allegedly attempted to prevent the victim from escaping and calling for help," police said.

The man was not seriously injured but "may have been assaulted" by the suspect when he tried to escape.

He refused medical attention.

Police issued a "Be on the lookout" alert with the woman's description.

Returned To Scene

Police caught her just after 8:30 p.m. when she returned to the scene, police said.

“This arrest reflects the swift coordination between our police officers, firefighters, and investigators,” said Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose. “Their response helped prevent
further harm and ensured the suspect was taken into custody within hours.”