Manalapan Man Accused of Firebombing Veteran Officer's Home

An Edison Police Officer has been charged with five counts of attempted murder and one count of aggravated arson in connection with a fire at the Monroe home of a veteran police officer set on Monday, May 20.

Michael Dotro, 32, was arrested at his Manalapan Township home, Acting Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey and Monroe Township Police Chief Michael E. Lloyd announced Thursday night.

He was charged in connection with a fire set at the home of Edison Police Captain Mark Anderko and his family, reported to Monroe Township Police at 3:59 a.m.

Although the fire was extinguished within 10-15 minutes by the Monroe Township Fire Department, the two-story Colonial-style home suffered extensive damage. Anderko, his wife, two children and 92-year-old mother were home at the time of the fire, but no one was injured, according to the prosecutor's office.

It was quickly determined that the fire was intentionally set, according to the prosecutor's office.

Earlier this week, a source told The Star Ledger a molotov cocktail was used to start the fire.

Dotro has been suspended without pay. He is a nine-year veteran of the Edison Police force. Bail was set at $5 million, and the full amount must be paid in order for him to be released from prison.

The investigation is active and continuing. Anyone with information can call Detective Sgt. Lisa Robinson of the Monroe Township Police Department at (732) 521-0222, extension 149, or Investigator Todd O’Malley of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-3908.

Dotro is scheduled to appear before Superior Court Judge Bradley Ferencz at the Middlesex County Courthouse in New Brunswick at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, May 24. Stay tuned for further updates on this story as new information becomes available.