For Immediate Release:
May 27, 2026

Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of 27-year-old LILLY J. HAMMOND of Rochester, NY on charges of arson, criminal mischief, and contempt of court. The arrest was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Chief Jeff Angermeyer, and the Wallington Police Department, under the direction of Chief Ireneusz “Eric” Kluska.

On Monday, May 25, 2026, at approximately 7:44 p.m., the Wallington Police Department and the Wallington Fire Department responded to a vehicle fire in the area of Lincoln Place in Wallington, NJ. Upon arrival, first responders discovered a 2004 Ford Mustang fully engulfed in flames and extinguished the fire. Following their preliminary investigation, the Wallington Police Department and Wallington Fire Department notified the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Squad. Detectives and arson investigators from the Bergen County Arson Task Force, initiated a joint investigation with the Wallington Police Department that revealed LILLY J. HAMMOND intentionally set the Mustang on fire.

As a result of the investigation, on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, LILLY J. HAMMOND was arrested and charged with third-degree arson, N.J.S.A. 2C:17-1b(2); third-degree criminal mischief, N.J.S.A. 2C:17-3a(1); fourth-degree failure to control or report a dangerous fire, N.J.S.A. 2C:17-1c(2); and contempt of court, N.J.S.A. 2C:29-9, a disorderly persons offense. HAMMOND was placed in the custody of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office pending a first appearance in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack, NJ.

Prosecutor Musella states that the charges are merely accusations, and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. He would like to thank the Wallington Police Department and the Wallington Fire Department for their assistance in this investigation. Additionally, Prosecutor Musella would like to thank the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office for its participation in the Bergen County Arson Task Force.