GARFIELD, N.J. — Troy R. Taylor, 60, a Hackensack resident, was arrested and charged with multiple offenses after allegedly stealing a car and setting it ablaze early Friday morning, authorities reported.
Garfield police responded around 1:17 a.m. on July 11 to a report of a stolen 2019 Honda Civic near Monroe Street. Officers learned that the vehicle owner had accidentally left the car keys at a local bar, where they later went missing.
Shortly after, police noticed a nearby car fire on the 100 block of Monroe Street. Firefighters extinguished the blaze and confirmed the burning vehicle was the stolen Honda Civic.
Following the incident, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said the Arson Squad and Garfield Police launched a joint investigation. Detectives determined that Taylor had taken the keys from the bar, stolen the vehicle, and intentionally set it on fire before walking away.
Taylor was taken into custody later that day and is being held at Bergen County Jail. He faces charges including second-degree aggravated arson, third-degree arson, theft by unlawful taking, criminal mischief, and failure to report a fire.
Prosecutor Musella emphasized that these are allegations and Taylor is presumed innocent until proven guilty. He also thanked local police and fire departments, along with the Wyckoff Police Department, for their assistance in the investigation.
