Man Almost Set New Milford Woman's Home On Fire: Police

NEW MILFORD, NJ — A man was charged with attempted arson after police found gasoline covering her front door, police said.

Robert Torres, 18, of Bergenfield, was arrested and charged after police investigated a report from a woman that a man was banging on the front door of her River Edge Avenue home shortly before 5 a.m. Sunday, said Detective Lt. Kevin Van Saders.

Police received a description of the man and Officer Andrew Lignos found him near River Road and Trenton Street, Van Saders said.

Police smelled gasoline coming from Torres' clothes and he had a lighter on him, Van Saders said. A bottle of torch lighter fluid was found near the victim's home.

The Bergen County Sheriff's Office Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the New Milford Fire Department responded to the home, the lieutenant said.

There was no evidence that a fire was lit at the woman's home, police said.

Van Saders said there is no indication that Torres and the victim were in a relationship.

Torres was taken to New Bridge Landing Medical Center and turned over to medical staff for a psychiatric evaluation, Van Saders said. He was subsequently charged with attempted arson and taken to the Bergen County Jail.

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Photo: Robert Torres, 18/New Milford Police Department