Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel A. DeMaio announced today that Michael Parker, 40, of Newark was arrested and charged with aggravated arson and terroristic threats setting a small fire at Father and Son Moving Co., on Frelinghuysen Avenue in Newark.

Parker was employed by the Moving Company. This morning he was asked to leave the premises. He left but returned with a can of gasoline which he used to start a fire in the foyer.
There was minimal damage to the property.

Parker was taken into custody around 1:30 p.m. without incident in the vicinity of Elizabeth Avenue and West Alpine Street by detectives from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force.

The joint investigation is active and ongoing. It is being handled by the Newark Police Department, the Newark Fire Department and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. Additional information will be released when it becomes available.

These are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they plead guilty or found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.