A West New York has been charged with burning the United States flag at a home near a Secaucus business at the end of last month, Police Chief Dennis Miller announced.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
In the early morning hours of June 28th, the Secaucus Police responded to Spotless Mind Hair Studio, located at 174 Front St., on a report of criminal mischief, Miller said in a statement.
Specifically, the owner reported that during the night someone had thrown a large rock through the glass front door, shattering it.
Later that same morning, the Secaucus police also responded to a residence that was also located on Front Street a short distance from Spotless Mind Hair Studio. The resident reported that someone had set her American flag on fire.
The fire that was set burnt the flag, its pole and charred some of the siding on the residence, thereby recklessly placing the structure in danger of damage. The fire then burned itself out.
After a week-long investigation, detectives from the Secaucus Police Detective Division identified Joherik D. Urena, 30, of West New York, as the person responsible for committing both of the nefarious acts.
Based on the evidence garnered against him, he was placed under arrest on July 8th at 3:00 p.m.
“I commend the collective investigative efforts of the Secaucus Police Detectives and I am proud of their swift and diligent work. I am extremely grateful that the fire did not spread further to the residence where the residents laid asleep,” Miller added.
“I also commend the Secaucus PBA Local 84 who met with the residents and provided them with a new symbol of our freedom.”
As a result, Urena was charged with arson and criminal mischief. He was released, pending his appearance in court.
