Former Hawthorne Blimpie sandwich shop owner accused of setting store on fire

Joshua Jongsma | NorthJersey

The former owner of a Hawthorne Blimpie sandwich shop was accused of trying to burn down the restaurant in 2017, authorities said.

Robert Pinero, 34, of North Bergen, was arrested Friday following the investigation that claimed he and another man went into the Wagaraw Road sandwich shop shortly before the fire started Aug. 18, 2017, according to the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office. The store was closed at the time.

An "incendiary device" and several points of origin for the fire were found inside the building, the prosecutor's office stated.

Although a second man was allegedly in the store with Pinero no one else was charged as of Friday, said Assistant Prosecutor Julie Serfess.

The Blimpie shop was inside the Hawthorne Center strip mall. Blimpie no longer lists a Hawthorne location on its website.

Pinero was charged with aggravated arson and conspiracy to commit aggravated arson. His first court appearance is scheduled for Saturday.

Email: jongsma@northjersey.com

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