In a shocking turn of events, a family in Metuchen woke up in the middle of the night to discover their home engulfed in flames.
Nearly two months later, authorities have arrested and charged a Bayonne man, Walid Beshai, with multiple serious crimes, including attempted murder, for his alleged involvement in the incident.
- A Bayonne man is charged with attempted murder for allegedly setting fire to a Metuchen home while people were asleep inside.
- The fire happened on June 27, forcing four people to leave their homes due to the damage.
- Police are investigating similar incidents and asking anyone with information to contact the Metuchen Police Department.
The Incident: A Terrifying Midnight Blaze
On June 27, in the early morning hours, a fire broke out at a multifamily home in Metuchen while the residents were sound asleep.
According to the Metuchen Police Department, the blaze was not accidental but a deliberate act of arson. The Bayonne fire also spread to the family’s vehicle, compounding the damage and danger.
Fortunately, the quick response from volunteer firefighters, who arrived on the scene around 1:30 a.m., prevented the flames from spreading further into the residence.
Despite the efforts to contain the fire, the severity of the blaze caused four people to be displaced from their homes, leaving them without shelter in the aftermath of the disaster.
Arrest and Charges: A String of Serious Offenses
In major Bayonne news, Metuchen police arrested 36-year-old Walid Beshai at his Bayonne residence on a Wednesday. Notably, this came after a thorough investigation.
Beshai now faces a multitude of charges, including attempted murder, aggravated arson, burglary, criminal mischief, stalking, harassment, and cyber harassment.
To be sure, these charges highlight the severity of the crimes he’s accused of committing, and the danger posed to the victims.
As it stands, the charges against Beshai stem from meticulous work by the Metuchen Police, who continue to pursue leads in the case.
Authorities have also indicated that Beshai may be linked to other similar offenses in the area, suggesting a possible criminal behavior pattern extending beyond this single incident.
Ongoing Investigations and Public Appeal for Information
As the investigation continues, the Metuchen Police Department remains vigilant, working tirelessly to uncover the full extent of the crimes. In addition, their efforts will focus on identifying any additional suspects or incidents connected to Beshai.
In light of this, the public is urged to come forward with any information that might assist the ongoing investigations.
Detective Chris Fiore of the Metuchen Police Department leads the investigation and can be reached at 732-632-8116.
