Mullica Man Charged With Arson

MULLICA TOWNSHIP — Police arrested a man Tuesday on charges of starting a series of brush fires in the Nesco section of the township over the last six weeks.

Michael Evangelista, 38, of Mullica Township, has been charged with multiple counts of arson and is being held in the Atlantic County Justice Facility in Mays Landing on $35,000 bail, said Police Chief John Thompson.

Police say Evangelista is responsible for setting at least 12 brush fires in July and August. The fires have been in the area of Nesco and Neil roads, and all were one acre or less in size. They were extinguished by the Nesco Fire Department and the New Jersey State Forest Fire Service, Thompson said.

The Mullica Township Police Department and the New Jersey Forest Fire Service worked together on the investigation.

Firefighters had reported Evangelista was close to the scene of several fires and was watching the fire-suppression efforts, Thompson said.

The fires caused no injuries or damage to property. If found guilty Evangelista will also be responsible for the cost of the fire fighting, Thompson said
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/crime/mullica-charges-man-with-arson-in-series-of-brush-fires/article_6ec170c6-32f3-11e4-ad52-001a4bcf887a.html

Mullica Township Police Department

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