A West Caldwell restaurant owner's plot to scam an insurer for big bucks thickens - as authorities arrest a suspected co-conspirator for allegedly helping torch Franco's Pizzeria in West Caldwell Pizzeria last April.
Essex County Prosecutor Paula T. Dow and West Caldwell Police Chief Charles Tubbs announced Garfield resident Ciro F. Conti, 62, was arrested yesterday afternoon at the West Caldwell PD after authorities called him in for questioning. Conti, described by detectives as a business associate of Ylli Jashari -- the owner of the pizzeria -- was charged with conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, aggravated arson to collect insurance proceeds, insurance fraud and two counts of aggravated assault upon emergency responders to an arson fire.
We told you about the owner's arrest at the pizzeria on April 23. Jashari is behind bars at the Essex County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail. Apparently Jashari and Conti racked up some serious debt. They allegedly intended to use the proceeds of the insurance policy to pay off their bills.
