Police: Englewood Cars, House Targets Of Arson
ENGLEWOOD, N.J. (CBSNewYork) - Police said five cars and a house in a usually quiet city in Bergen County were torched early Sunday morning, CBS2's Dick Brennan reported.
Police responded to the situation on West Palisade Avenue in Englewood shortly after 3 a.m.
Resident Celeste Hernandez's family had three cars burned in the early morning rampage, including her husband's 1986 Fierro.
"Classic, they don't make them like that anymore," Kenneth Walton told Brennan.
Across the street, Roy Clacken said he raced outside to see his Toyota Camry on fire. He said he tried to put it out.
"I tried. Didn't work out," he said. "So I had to wait for the fire truck to come."
Englewood police said when they arrived, a home was up in flames.
Manuella Castillo scrambled to get his family out.
"Telling everybody 'Wake up cause there's a fire,'" he said.
Nobody was injured, and the house only had minor damage.
"That building is illegally occupied. So it's under investigation by both police the police, the fire, and the building department," Englewood City Councilman Eugene Skurnick said.
Police would not confirm that, and said they were searching for a motive for this apparent crime spree.
"There's no indication of a hate crime. We are looking for a common denominator of all the victims," a police official told Brennan.
Police told the car owners to call their insurance companies, but for Walton it won't matter because he has no fire and theft coverage.
"I didnt drive it very much. I wont be driving it anymore," he said.
Police said they are reviewing video from a local business and do have a few leads.
If you know anything, please call the Englewood police at 201-568-2711.
