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Cliffside Park Man Arrested on Narcotics Charges Following Suspicious Fire Investigation

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Cliffside Park NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announces the following information as to a suspected arson fire in Cliffside Park.:

The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Cliffside Park Police Department are investigating a fire that occurred at 238 Palisade Avenue,  Apt 8, in Cliffside Park, NJ on Sunday, April 28, 2024.

Following their initial response and fire suppression efforts at approximately 10:35 a.m., the Cliffside Park Police Department and Fire Department notified the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Squad that the fire appeared to be suspicious in nature.  Detectives and arson investigators from the Prosecutor’s Office responded to the scene.  No injuries were reported.

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck and the Cliffside Park Police Department under the direction of Chief Marc Marano.

Consequently authorities in Cliffside Park have arrested a local man on charges related to narcotics possession and failure to report a fire, following an investigation into a “suspicious” fire incident that occurred on Sunday morning.

The Cliffside Park Police Department and Fire Department responded to a fire at 238 Palisade Avenue, Apartment 8, at around 10:35 a.m. on Sunday. The fire was deemed suspicious, prompting the involvement of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Squad.

Upon investigation, authorities discovered that the apartment was unoccupied at the time of the fire. However, they found a “white powdery substance” believed to be crack cocaine inside the apartment while determining the origin and cause of the fire.

Christopher J. Perez, a 40-year-old resident of Cliffside Park, was identified as a suspect in the case. It was determined that Perez left the apartment after the fire broke out but failed to notify the authorities.

Perez was subsequently arrested and charged with third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, fourth-degree endangering the life of another, and failure to take responsible measures to control a fire. Additionally, he faces charges of possession with intent to use paraphernalia to inhale a controlled dangerous substance, classified as a disorderly persons offense.

Following his arrest, Perez was transported to Bergen New Bridge Medical Center for medical evaluation. Upon discharge, he will appear in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack to face the charges against him.

The investigation into the suspicious fire incident and the narcotics-related charges against Perez are ongoing as authorities work to ensure the safety and well-being of the community.

2 thoughts on “Cliffside Park Man Arrested on Narcotics Charges Following Suspicious Fire Investigation

  1. No tiene verguenza!

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  2. another shocker
    if you’re going to run an illegal drug lab thats a fire hazard at least have some consideration for the adjoining apartment dwellers

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