Authorities release video of pizza shop arson suspect in hopes public can ID him

Gloucester County officials have released surveillance video of a man suspected of starting a fire at a local pizza shop.
The Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office initially released photographs of the suspect in the March 2019 arson at Broadway Pizza and Grill in Gibbstown. But it has been nearly a year and they have not been able to identify him. So, they are hoping more images will help jog the public’s memory.
“He pours the substance on, and like I said, he’s in there 30 minutes approximately, not successful,” says Detective Warren Rivell.
Rivell says that the suspect is described as a short, thin-build, possibly African American or Asian man in his 20s or 30s. He was seen inside the pizza shop for a time, goes to Walmart to buy lighter fluid, and then returned to the shop, according to officials.
Rivell says that it is believed that the suspect had an accomplice. He says that having the surveillance video from inside the restaurant is crucial in the investigation, but he says that what they really need is someone to come forward and identify the man.
“It could be a disgruntled customer, a disgruntled employee and it could be persons that were employed by someone that had something to do with the business … anything is possible,” Rivell says.
The alleged getaway car is a black Ford F-150 with Pennsylvania plates.
“Maybe [a witness] recognizes the truck and that person together or individually. We’re just urging anyone with information to just contact us, even if it’s a hunch and they think it looks like someone, we can have something work with,” Rivell says.
The prosecutor’s office can be reached at 856-384-5500.