Arrest made in Bergenline fatal arson Scorned lover allegedly set fires in rage, according to prosecutor
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According to Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio, police arrested 37-year-old Reinaldo Ramirez of 82nd Street in North Bergen after Ramirez arrived at an undisclosed Jersey City police headquarters for questioning.
Investigators wanted to interview Ramirez for his possible involvement in the fire March 14 that killed 74-year-old Ismael Alonso, as well as another fire that was allegedly set nine blocks away on Fifth Avenue, just 11 minutes after the fatal fire was set.
"Based on the information collected in the investigation by our homicide squad, as well as the North Bergen and Jersey City police, we were able to ascertain that Mr. Ramirez had a connection with both locations," DeFazio said. "We were able to determine that Mr. Ramirez had ex-girlfriends at both locations and apparently had issues with both women. Once we learned that information, it piqued the interest of the investigators."
Ramirez was asked to come to the Jersey City location for questioning. According to DeFazio, Ramirez was living in Jersey City after the fires and the police found out his whereabouts after interviewing victims from both fires.
"Mr. Ramirez came in voluntarily," DeFazio said. "Our investigators found out that he had these two different relationships with the two women and they went forward with that information. Once he was interviewed by the police, it was determined that they had enough information to charge him with setting the fires."
Ramirez was charged with felony murder, as well as two separate charges of aggravated arson. He was arraigned at Hudson County Central Judiciary Processing, where bail was set at $1 million by Superior Court Judge Melvin Kracov.
Ramirez faces life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 30 years, if he is convicted, according to DeFazio.
Ramirez allegedly set the first fire in the hallway of a two-story building on 82nd and Bergenline. Several residents had to be rescued from the blaze, but Ismael Alonso was overcome with smoke and died in the hallway. Alonso did not know Ramirez, police believe.
The second fire took place on the 7400 block of Fifth Avenue, with similar circumstances. The fire started in a hallway, which led fire investigators to suspect arson right away.
Once there is a fatality, the case is referred to the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office, which determined that it was a homicide investigation just two days after the fire.
The arrest of Ramirez then took place exactly five days after the homicide investigation began.
"It's a case of a good investigation that resulted in the arrest and charges," DeFazio said. "It was good police work to make the connection between the two women. Once we determined that, we knew we were on the right track."
DeFazio said that the investigation was conducted by the Prosecutor's Office and the Homicide Squad, with strong assistance from both the Jersey City and North Bergen police departments.
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