Teaneck Man Tasered After Setting Fire To His Apartment: Cops

TEANECK, NJ – A Teaneck man was tasered by police after he refused to drop several knives, fled into his home and then set his apartment on fire, according to authorities.

Shortly after 9 p.m. Monday, police were called to the 700 block of Chestnut Avenue after receiving a report about a man creating a disturbance and throwing objects into the hallway of the apartment building, Police Chief Glenn O’Reilly said.

Upon arriving at the building, officers found William Caraway in the foyer, armed with several knives, O’Reilly said. Police ordered him to put the weapons down, but Caraway refused and fled back inside, where he barricaded himself in his apartment, the chief said.

Despite attempts by officers, with help from Caraway’s family, to coerce him out of the apartment, he refused to leave, O’Reilly said.

Several minutes later, he ran out of the apartment after setting it on fire, the chief said. When he encountered police stationed in the hallway outside of the burning apartment, he refused to follow their commands and officers used a taser to subdue him, O’Reilly said.

He was then taken into custody and transported to Holy Name Medical Center for evaluation. His apartment building was evacuated while Teaneck firefighters extinguished the fire, which the chief said was contained to Caraway’s apartment.

Several officers were treated for smoke inhalation, but no other injuries were reported, O’Reilly said.

Caraway was charged with aggravated arson, possession of weapons and obstruction of the administration of law.