Crime & Safety
Mahwah Man, 71, Charged With Arson After House Fire
Breaking: Everett Johnson was holding a gas can in his garage when police arrived at the Marion Drive house, authorities said.
MAHWAH, NJ — A township man was charged with aggravated arson after police found him holding a can of gasoline and a fire raging at his home.
Mahwah police officers received a call to check on Everett Johnson's welfare at his 3 Marion Drive home Thursday, said acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo.
One of the responding officers saw Johnson, 71, in the garage and holding a can of gasoline, Calo said.
Find out what's happening in Mahwahfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Police also saw a fire inside the garage and a heavy fire inside the house, Calo said.
Both the house and the garage were severely damaged by fire, Calo said.
Find out what's happening in Mahwahfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Mahwah Police Department of the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office investigated the fire. Johnson was arrested Thursday and charged with second-degree aggravated arson, Calo said.
Johnson was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending a first appearance in Bergen County Central Judicial Court Friday afternoon.
Email daniel.hubbard@patch.com. Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.
Photo: Everett Johnson, 71/Bergen County Prosecutor's Office
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
