Man Torches Vehicle In Bergen For Insurance Money: Officials

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — An out-of-stater stands accused of setting fire to his vehicle and reporting it stolen in an attempt to collect insurance money, according to authorities and reports.

Tramaine Hayward, 46, of New York, was accused of torching his 2010 Nissan Altima on the highway in Englewood Cliffs on Feb. 9, and then reporting the vehicle was stolen and filing an insurance claim, authorities and an affidavit said.

Investigators later recovered a BIC lighter, matchbook and an ashtray from the scene, after the "fully engulfed fire" was suppressed by responding crews just after midnight Feb. 9, an affidavit said.

Hayward, of New Rochelle, had allegedly reported to his local police department at 8 a.m. that same morning that his car was stolen, yet the VIN matched that of the torched vehicle. His statement on when and where he had last parked his vehicle did not check out either, investigators found.

His insurer advised police the same day that he had filed a claim as well, the affidavit said.

He was also seen on the parkway in the township the night of Feb. 8 by an officer who saw his car was disabled on the side of the road. Hayward had allegedly told the officer at about 10 p.m. that he had run out of gas, and the officer drove him to a service station nearby and then returned him to attend to his vehicle, the affidavit said.

About two and a half hours later, the fire was spotted, police said.

Hayward, who works in building maintenance, was arrested and charged with aggravated arson and arson. He was then remanded to the Bergen County jail, pending an initial court appearance, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said.