Story by Ethan
On September 3rd, 2025, the arrest of Jaime Magnelli Sr., age 78, was announced by Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella. Jaime Magnelli Sr. was charged with second-degree aggravated arson, second-degree causing or risking widespread injury or damage, third-degree arson, third-degree criminal mischief, and fourth-degree failure to take responsible measure to put out, control, or report a fire. The arrest and charges against [Defendant] were a result of an investigation launched by Chief Matthew Finck of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, and Chief Michael Antista of the Hackensack Police Department.
According to the Hackensack Police Department, at approximately 8:09 p.m. on August 30th, 2025, local officers and firefighters were dispatched to 78 Trinity Place in Hackensack, New Jersey. Responding personnel specifically arrived to three police vehicles actively on fire at Hackensack Municipal Parking Lot Area T, an area used for parking overflowing police vehicles. It was noted by officers that these car fires were suspicious in nature, leading to a joint investigation being launched by the Hackensack Police Department. The investigation identified Jaime Magnelli Sr. to have allegedly set flame to the three unattended vehicles by pouring an accelerant onto the cars before igniting it and leaving the scene. While no injuries were reported, the fire took place near a local place of worship and the Hackensack municipal gas pumps. Jaime Magnelli Sr. was located and arrested on September 2nd, 2025, before being relocated to the Bergen County Jail.
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office stated that the charges against Jaime Magnelli Sr. are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
