WILDWOOD, NJ — A 35-year-old man has been arrested on charges of arson and causing widespread injury or damage after allegedly setting fire to his apartment in November.
Edmir Pepa, of Wildwood, was charged following an investigation into a fire at a multi-dwelling building on Nov. 22.
The Wildwood Police Department was dispatched to a residence for a report of a fire and an injured occupant on that date.
Police arrived and attempted to check a second-floor apartment, but heavy smoke prevented entry until personnel arrived from the Wildwood Fire Department.
Fire crews entered the residence and located Pepa.
Pepa was removed from the scene, treated, and airlifted to a regional hospital.
It was later determined that Pepa was also suffering from self-inflicted lacerations.
Detectives from the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and the Wildwood Police Department, along with personnel from the Cape May County Fire Marshall’s Office conducted an investigation, including the review of surveillance footage, multiple witness interviews, and the execution of a court-authorized search warrant.
It was determined that Pepa set fire to multiple areas inside his apartment, putting himself and other tenants inside the building in danger, according to Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland and Wildwood Police Chief Joe Murphy.
On Dec. 9, Pepa voluntarily surrendered to the Wildwood Police Department in response to the issued warrant.
He was processed and lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Center.
Both charges are second-degree crimes.
Individuals convicted of second-degree crimes are subject to a term of imprisonment of 5 to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison.
