CBS New YorkMONROE TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) – Police on Wednesday were searching for the suspect who firebombed an officer’s home.
As CBS 2’s Alice Gainer reported, a $20,000 reward was being offered for the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the firebombing, as authorities try to figure out who targeted the officer and why.
Firefighters responded to the blaze in the two-story colonial-style home on Arlene Drive in Monroe Township around 4 a.m. Monday.
Officials said the fire was brought under control within 10 to 15 minutes, but caused substantial damage to the home.
As WCBS 880′s Levon Putney reported, Edison Police Capt. Mark Anderko’s wife and children were inside, but no one was injured in the fire.
On Wednesday afternoon, a blue tarp partially covered the roof. Peeking out from the boarded-up front door were burnt pieces of siding.
“The entire front was charred by the time we got outside,” said Haarika Reddy, who lives next door.
Reddy said her family was woken up by officers around 4 a.m. Monday after either a Molotov cocktail or a gas can was detonated in front of her neighbor’s house.
“They told us to just grab some important things and then run out,” Reddy said.
Authorities have not said what was used to start the fire.
“It’s absolutely a savage act,” New Jersey Policemen’s Benevolent Association President Tony Wieners told Putney. “You come after one of our members or any law enforcement officer in New Jersey, we’re going to stand up and offer that reward and hopefully somebody will come forward.”
Wieners added the attack on the home and the officer’s family was “unspeakable.”
“Regardless of whether a gun, a knife or a firebomb, NJ Cop Shot stands ready to assist with the capture of those responsible. We know the danger we face when we put on our uniform and head out each day, but this attack on a home and family is unspeakable,” Wieners said.
Captain Anderko is said to be close to the police chief, but investigators were not saying if they know what the attack was about, Putney reported.
Edison police did not release an official comment, but the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office ruled the incident arson.
“You’re not going after the individual officer for whatever reason they chose to do so, but they’re attacking his whole family and it’s something that we’re not going to tolerate or stand for and we’re going to hopefully pay out this $20,000 reward before they can go out and hurt anybody else,” Wieners said.
And though there are questions about whether or not the attack was some form of retaliation, neighbors said, for now, they are not too worried.
“They’ll get to the bottom of this, especially because they attacked one of their own,” Reddy said.
Anyone with information should contact the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office 732-745-3300 or Middlesex County Crime Stoppers at 800-939-9600. You can also call Det. Sgt. Lisa Robinson of the Monroe Township Police Department at (732) 521-0222, extension 149, or Investigator Todd O’Malley of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-3908.
“It’s absolutely a savage act…[it’s] unspeakable…this attack on a home and family is unspeakable” said Tony Wiener with moral outrage and utter indignation toward the culprit(s). Seriously, how many of us are really surprised to read about this crime? In fact, I’ve wondered why we haven’t seen more citizen reprisals toward law enforcement given the parabolic rise in cases of police brutality and corruption. It’s fundamental causality; the relation between a cause and its effect. The more the police abuse the public the more likely these acts of retaliation will occur. I’m not making a judgement one way or another. I’m simply stating that the police really shouldn’t be surprised when the citizens take the fight to the police on a personal level. I’m surprised that Mr. Wiener didn’t say, “they hate us for our freedoms.” No, Mr. Wiener, they hate you because the police routinely commit unspeakable savage acts against the citizenry and attack their homes, families and livelihoods. Get it? If the police showed more restraint, understanding and empathy for the American citizens then things like this probably wouldn’t happen. I just pray that no innocent people are harmed.
Agreed.
Yep, they are getting what they deserve and they have only started to see what they are going to get from the people. Retaliation sh*t, they haven`t even seen retaliation yet. Yup, cops realy do think their sh* don`t stink, well F them, they – the cops, etc. – got something to learn. P.S. And just who would be the innocents – as you know that a cops sons and daughters and wife would likely be of the same mindset as the cop, if you know what I mean – like that old saying goes ” like father like son” !
When it happens to them they squeal like pigs!
That reward should go to the bomber. for doing a public service.
I couldn`t agree more with ya #1.
🙂
Same here, #1.
Dinnertime. Back in 30, guys.
What goes around, comes around. If the police want a total war, then they just need to keep doing what they are doing. But, maybe that is what they want, to push us far enough to revolt. They are only outnumbered thousands to one.
Wow.
Today had some news goin on.
IMO This act was bad but its hard to feel bad for a jack boot.
Where are the 20,000 dollar rewards for the innocent people of Boston who got their cars and houses shot up and raided by paramilitary troops and police? Oh but when one little insignificant person tries to burn a cop’s house down, it’s immediately a 20,000 dollar reward? Are you kidding me?
By the way, where is this 20,000 dollar reward coming from on a cop’s salary? Years of police extortion by the cop himself? Probably. Maybe a Round Rock cop’s house will burn down in the future, too. I’m not advocating such an action or implying anything. I’m just saying. The whole city has a beef with them. It’s only a matter of time before it happens there.
MANY people, in Jersey and elsewhere, have suffered the cops, also.
““It’s absolutely a savage act,” New Jersey Policemen’s Benevolent Association President Tony Wieners told Putney. “You come after one of our members or any law enforcement officer in New Jersey, we’re going to stand up and offer that reward and hopefully somebody will come forward.””
Surrrrreeeee…..but when it’s a no-name person, you just grab a donut and head back to the office to file the report and leave it at that. I see how it is.
“Anyone with information should contact the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office 732-745-3300 or Middlesex County Crime Stoppers at 800-939-9600.”
Anyone without information should contact the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office and laugh out loud over the phone and say, “Ha! Ha! How does it feel now that the shoe is on the other foot?”
With all the negative press about police coming out recently, one has to wonder who was actually behind this act.
When the proverbial shoe is on the other foot, they cry and bemoan the victim status, just like their counter part in Israhell.
50 bucks says it was another cop!