Campaign Bus Arsonist Apprehended, Prosecutor Says

A Newark man wanted for torching a mayoral candidate's campaign bus was arrested Friday, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office said.

Prosecutor's office detectives and FBI agents apprehended Michael Benkowski, 43, without incident Friday at an apartment on Broad Street in Newark.

Benkowski was charged earlier this week with third-degree arson, third-degree criminal mischief and third-degree burglary for setting the fire to Ras Baraka's campaign bus on Feb. 16, the prosecutor's office said.

Benkowski was a paid canvasser for Baraka's opponent, former Assistant State Attorney General Shavar Jeffries, according to NJ.com. Jeffries' campaign paid him at least $450 in December, NJ.com reported.

According to the prosecutor's office, Baraka's bus was torched and sugar was put in the engine during the early-morning hours of Feb. 16 at 423 Central Ave. Surveillance video and other technology revealed a white Chevy Express van was involved in the arson, the prosecutor's office said.

The van is registered to Newark-based Prestige Professional Management LLC and was linked to Benkowski, the prosecutor's office said.

The investigation remains ongoing and additional charges are possible, the prosecutor's office said.

Benkowski has been remanded to the Essex County Correctional Facility in lieu of $100,000 bail.