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Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 2648
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, October 10, 2005 - 10:58 pm: |     |
Surprised nobody posted this from Saturday's Ledger.
Two men arrested in pizzeria, deli fires
Saturday, October 08, 2005
BY SARA K. CLARKE
Star-Ledger Staff
Authorities have arrested the owner of a Maplewood pizzeria for arson, saying he reported gas leaks twice before torching his own business.
In an unrelated incident, police have charged a second man with targeting a Maplewood deli with a Molotov cocktail.
Peter Palermo, owner of Palermo's Pizza Primo, was charged with aggravated arson and causing or risking widespread injury. Investigators say the 41-year-old Springfield man set fire to his pizzeria, located at 1874 Springfield Ave.
When police and fire personnel responded to the Oct. 4 fire, they found heavy black smoke pouring from the back of the business. The fire was contained within the first floor of the three-story building, and none of the residents in the eight apartments above the pizzeria were injured, the Office of the Essex County Prosecutor said.
"The smell of gasoline permeated the premises," said Jeffrey Cartwright, assistant prosecutor and director of arson for the prosecutor's office.
"The facts and circumstances of the fire, the history of the building, and witness observations" led prosecutors to charges against Palermo, Cartwright said.
Palermo reported two gas leaks at his business over the past couple of weeks, Cartwright said. Arsonists sometimes use reported gas leaks as a cover for the fire, he said.
Witnesses saw Palermo near his business right before the two alarm fire engulfed the Maplewood pizzeria, a source close to the investigation said. The fire occurred at approximately 6 a.m., when Palermo's business was closed.
The charges against the pizzeria owner carry a maximum sentence of 20 years.
Police also charged Emmanuel Dorce, 25, of Maplewood, in relation to an Oct. 2 firebombing at Nat's Deli on Elmwood Ave.
Dorce was charged with aggravated arson, possession of a destructive device and possession of a destructive device for an unlawful purpose. The charges carry a maximum prison term of 25 years.
A witness stopped at a traffic light saw a man throw the incendiary device at the door of Nat's Deli, Maplewood police said. The witness provided a partial description.
The deli did not catch fire and was able to reopen.
Dorce's father, reached at home on Friday, said his son is a psychiatric patient on medication. "He's a victim of the system," he said. "If you're going to put something bad about him, to be fair you should put that too."
Two other Maplewood fires remain under investigation. A Sept. 26 fire at the Springfield Avenue Partnership, which is in the building adjoining Pizza Primo, was deemed suspicious, said Police Capt. Walter Mueller. A second fire took place about a month ago behind Bumper to Bumper, an auto repair shop at 1866 Springfield Ave. A car was set on fire, Assistant Prosecutor Cartwright said.
Both Palermo and Dorce are being held on $500,000 bail at county facilities, the prosecutor's office said.
Sara K. Clarke may be reached at sclarke@starledger.com or (973) 392-1896.
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ken (the other one)
Citizen
Username: Ken
Post Number: 310
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, October 10, 2005 - 11:51 pm: | |
I did but no one picked it up... |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 3310
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 7:32 am: | |
I did, but didn't want to gossip. |
Soulful Mr T
Citizen
Username: Howardt
Post Number: 940
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 8:14 am: | |
Ah, so THAT'S why the pizza tasted so well done... |
Peter
Citizen
Username: Peter
Post Number: 48
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 9:56 am: | |
I hope it's not true. (Innocent until proven guilty.) We got pizza there constantly. Pete and Eileen were always courteous, and kind to our small children. The pizza was the best in Maplewood, IMO. Christine, their daughter, often delivered for them in the summer, and she is a pleasant and composed young woman. I can't even imagine the disruption to the family. Let's all hope for the best for them. |
jeffl
Supporter
Username: Jeffl
Post Number: 1374
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 1:52 pm: | |
Peter, I couldn't agree with you more. Pete was always the first one to donate pizzas for any town cause. His family is lovely. I just can't imagine what this is doing to them and how they're surviving right now. |
aquaman
Supporter
Username: Aquaman
Post Number: 513
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 6:27 pm: | |
Justtheaunt,
You're positively giddy aren't you?
If you had seen Pete crying in the parking lot the other night you might have taken a breath before you started this thread.
A real family is grieving tonight, a little compassion is in order.
I hope the family is pulling it together as well as they can, and that no one posts on this thread so it fades quickly. |
mwsilva
Citizen
Username: Mwsilva
Post Number: 468
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 9:55 pm: | |
Is compassion in order or soulful thought? Yes this is troublesome, and Pete has not been himself recently.
But, on the other hand, many people live in the apartments above the pizza shop. In two months they have had to leave their homes twice to allow the fire department to vent explosive levels of gas fumes leaking from his store. Now this.
What of the children, the 8 month pregnent mother to be and the 86 year old lady, all who thankfully escaped when the fire alarms went off?
Perhaps the compassion should go to those who were placed in danger due to no fault of their own. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 2651
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 11:42 pm: | |
aquaman-
Give me a break...
If he is found guilty will you be posting an apology??
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jeffl
Supporter
Username: Jeffl
Post Number: 1376
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 8:42 am: | |
JTA, that's a broadside you didn't deserve from aquaman. I feel for Peter and his family and wish I could help them but whoever did this, the outcome could have been tragic. |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 1782
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 8:53 am: | |
JTA, funny, I didn't know you wrote the Star Ledger article! So your nom de plum is Sara Clark?
Pay no attention to aqua-troll. "Broadsiding" folks with his superior intellect is his "thing." |
letters
Citizen
Username: Letters016
Post Number: 409
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 9:13 am: | |
I first met Pete and Eileen when they opened up on SA by firehouse #2. Since then, I will say that our relationship took on a more personal aura rather than business like. I have been to their house in Springfield and always new them to be a hard working family.
I hope and pray that this proves to be a false charge.
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Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 6474
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 3:15 pm: | |
Aren't people generally considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law?
If any of us have evidence to prove Pete guilty of this charge, that person(s) should share it with the police rather than posting it on MOL.
Nobody should be publically posting innuendo about Pete or unsubstantiated theories about the incidents at Pizza Primo on MOL without the evidence to back them up.
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letters
Citizen
Username: Letters016
Post Number: 411
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 3:22 pm: | |
Joan,
You are correct. I've only noticed one poster who crossed the line. Everyone else seems to be supportive and hopeful. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 2674
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 8:09 pm: | |
Excuse me but since when is it 'crossing the line' by posting an article that was in the Ledger? And Letter's I'm really surprised by your post. You know me in RL so you know I usually give someone the benefit of the doubt.
Funny, how when I was one of the few who said we should give that teacher the benefit of the doubt I got attacked as well when I pointed out the girl might have been making it up.
But, since then I have changed my opinion and do believe her... |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 10032
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 8:13 pm: | |
Auntie, it wasn't you who crossed the line.
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letters
Citizen
Username: Letters016
Post Number: 412
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 8:20 pm: | |
JTA,
I wasn't writing about you.
Tom,
Thanks for sticking up for me. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 2676
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 8:24 pm: | |
Thanks Letters. I owe you an apology. |
rimman
Citizen
Username: Rimman
Post Number: 4
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, October 16, 2005 - 12:45 pm: | |
when I lived in Maplewood, i frequented Primo's Pizza. Peter was always very nice and his lovely wife and adorable little boy, Matthew were always very pleasant to everyone. both Elaine and Peter worked very hard to please everyone who came in.
I hope that noone judges anyone until all the facts are in. My prayers are with the family at this trying time.
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Ed May
Citizen
Username: Edmay
Post Number: 2361
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, October 16, 2005 - 7:02 pm: | |
I was shocked when I heard that Pete was arrested for allegedly setting fire to his own establishment. Could it be true, I asked myself. Naturally I don't want to believe it. He is legally innocent until proven guilty. Regardless of his guilt or innocence I still feel sorry for Pete and wish his family the best in a trying time.
Ed May |
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