A 50-year-old Morris Township man was arrested and charged after an attempted arson of a Masonic lodge on Maple Avenue in Morristown earlier this month. According to reports, the defendant broke into the lodge with gas cans and plans of setting fire to the Masonic lodge when he was detected by a property manager who fought with him and detained him until police arrived. When police arrived, the two men were fighting and were immediately detained. The caretaker of the property suffered minor injuries from the altercation.

The defendant has been charged aggravated arson, burglary, and simple assault. He is being held at the Morris County jail on $100,000 bail. Police are investigating as to whether or not this defendant may also be responsible for a prior break in at the same location.