RED BANK – A man has been arrested and criminally charged for setting several fires in Red Bank as well as robbing a pharmacy, officials said.
Anthony Sambogna, 24, of Red Bank, has been charged with second-degree Robbery and three counts of second-degree Aggravated Arson.
The first arson incident occurred on July 25 at 12:25 p.m. Authorities said that an accelerant was used to start a small fire in the parking lot of Red Bank Catholic High School on Broad Street. Before police arrived, the fire went out on its own.
A second arson incident happened at around 11:20 p.m. where an accelerant was used to start a fire along exterior natural gas meter lines leading into the back of a bagel shop on Broad Street. This fire also went out on its own after initially going unreported. However, a second fire ignited on shrubbery at the same location about an hour later and was put out by a responding police officer with a fire extinguisher.
The investigation identified Sambogna as a suspect in the incidents and he was arrested without incident on Branch Avenue in Little Silver on July 26. Subsequently, he was lodged in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) pending a detention hearing.
In addition to the arson incidents, it was revealed that Sambogna had allegedly robbed a pharmacy on Prospect Avenue in Little Silver at around 5:25 p.m. the day before his arrest. According to authorities, he allegedly threatened a clerk while demanding that he empty the contents of a cash register.
“Many thanks to all of the various personnel involved in this collaborative investigation leading to the arrest and charges filed against this defendant. The speed and diligence demonstrated by all involved in this investigation is appreciated, especially in light of the deeply dangerous, worrisome conduct that could have easily resulted in a tragic outcome,” Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey said.
Anyone with information about these or similar incidents is asked to contact MCPO Detective Aaron Shaw at 800-533-7443 or Red Bank Police Department Sgt. James Deponte at 732-530-2700.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendants have all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.
