Crime & Safety
East Windsor Resident Set Fires at Hightstown Park, Church Parking Lot: Cops
Pedro X. Mendoza-Jaramillo of East Windsor was responsible for starting the fires, Hightstown police said.
EAST WINDSOR, NJ – The Hightstown Police have identified a man accused of starting a fire at a local park and the parking lot of the church. The incident took place in March, police said.
On Sunday, March 30, between 7:49 p.m. and 8:50 p.m., officers from the Hightstown Police Department responded to a fire at Mill Run East and structure fires at Rocky Brook Park, and the parking lot of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church.
After the fires were extinguished, authorities deemed it suspicious and an arson investigation ensued.
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During the course of a comprehensive investigation, detectives determined that Pedro X. Mendoza-Jaramillo, 21, of East Windsor, was responsible for starting the fires.
Mendoza-Jaramillo was charged with aggravated arson, criminal trespass, and criminal mischief.
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An arrest warrant was issued for Mendoza-Jaramillo, and at this time, he has not been taken into custody, police said. According to media reports, Mendoza-Jaramillo is no longer in the United States.
The arrest warrant remains active if he returns.
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