Metuchen police arrest Bayonne man for attempted murder, arson, stalking

By Alvin Wu
Domestic Affairs
Metuchen police arrest Bayonne man for attempted murder, arson, stalking

Arrest warrant for Walid Beshai. MIDDLESEX COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE/Arrest Warrant

METUCHEN, N.J., Aug. 22 (ZFJ) — Walid Beshai, 36, of Bayonne, was arrested by Metuchen police at his residence on Wednesday, Aug. 14, in connection with a fire in the borough on June 27, 2024.

Patrol officers responded to the scene of a fire on June 27, 2024, at about 1:30 a.m., according to an affidavit of probable cause submitted to the court by police. Three residents were removed from a two-family residential structure, and a garage that contained one of the victim’s vehicles was actively on fire.

The Metuchen Fire Department responded and found heavy smoke but was able to prevent the fire from spreading to the residence, according to their social media post. No civilians or first responders were injured. Four people were displaced from their home.

According to the criminal complaint, the initial investigation found that a suspect started the fire in the garage. Surveillance video from directly across the street showed a person walking from behind the garage holding a container believed to have held a fire accelerant shortly before the fire became visible to the camera.

Surveillance videos from the area also showed a Toyota Highlander driving in the area at the time of the fire and leaving after the fire began.

The victim, a resident of the building, had “been a continued target of harassment and criminal mischief with his car,” according to the criminal complaint. Prior investigations, an ongoing civil case in the Hudson County Courts, and the victim’s statement indicated that Beshai had been the harasser.

An area communications search warrant found that Beshai’s cell phone was in the area of the residence before, during, and shortly after the fire was set. His green 2010 Toyota Highlander also matched the surveillance videos’ vehicle description.

The police wrote that, after the victim reported the fire, “Beshai has continually stalked the victim,” appearing at the victim’s place of employment and frequented areas “without any valid reason.” In one instance, the police say that Beshai stood at the doorway of the victim’s workplace and photographed him.

Police also say that the victim has since continued to receive harassing communications from unidentified phone numbers. Some of these messages have included the victim’s photo, which appears to be taken from his workplace.

Beshai has been charged with first-degree attempted murder, second-degree aggravated arson, third-degree criminal mischief, third-degree burglary, fourth-degree stalking, and cyber harassment in the fourth-degree and as a petty disorderly persons offense.

The investigations are active and ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to call Detective Chris Fiore of the Metuchen Police Department at (732) 632-8116.

The charges against Beshai are merely accusations, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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