‘I DIDN’T MEAN IT’
SUSPECT FACES SLEW OF CHARGES, OFFICER RECOVERING IN COLLINGDALE
COLLINGDALE » After spending Wednesday night in the burn unit at Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Delaware County Deputy Sheriff Sgt. Nick Maraini was released about noon Thursday – his 33rd birthday - to begin healing from second- and third-degree wounds to his thighs, calves and left elbow caused by a Molotov cocktail tossed at him while he was attempting to serve a probation violation warrant on a borough man.
“I’m doing better,” Maraini said Thursday afternoon over the phone, speaking from his parents’ residence in Springfield where he planned to “lay low with my girlfriend” over the next few days.
“I feel blessed,” Maraini said. “It’s not every day you can walk away with an injury like that.”
Earlier Thursday, Jeromy A. Jones was preliminarily arraigned on charges including first-degree attempted murder on Maraini and three other law enforcement officers at the scene on MacDade Boulevard where Jones allegedly threw a flaming bottle at Maraini’s feet where it exploded and flames caught fire to his uniform pant legs. Jones had been detained overnight at Collingdale police headquarters following his arrest Wednesday afternoon. On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security also filed an immigration detainer against Jones, who is a citizen of Jamaica, stating there is probable cause for his deportation, according to documents provided by Collingdale Police Chief Robert Adams.
“I didn’t mean it … I don’t even know what’s going on. I really don’t,” Jones, 39, of the first block of MacDade Boulevard, said as he was led into Magisterial District Judge Gregory J. Loftus’ courtroom for a preliminary arraignment Thursday morning, surrounded by deputies from the Delaware County Sheriff’s office and Adams. Restrained at the wrists and ankles, Jones wore a jumpsuit provided by police because his clothing at the time of arrest smelled so strongly of gasoline.
Additionally charged with four counts each of assault of a law enforcement officer and recklessly endangering another person; eight counts of arson involving danger of death or bodily injury; possession of an explosive or incendiary material; obstructing administration of law; resisting arrest; and possessing an instrument of crime, Jones’ was remanded to the county prison in lieu of $1 million cash bail. His preliminary hearing is listed for Aug. 22.
According to Adams, Jones has had about two dozen contacts with borough police since 2013 including a stabbing incident on Nov. 20, 2014, from which the probation violation apparently stemmed.
Jones’ surrender and immediate arrest Wednesday ended an about 30-minute standoff with police that began soon after authorities approached the front door of the apartment where Jones resides with his mother and stepfather about 4:47 p.m.
Maraini, who was joined at the front of the residence by assisting Collingdale officers Dan Gerrity, Dan Scanlan and James MacIntosh, was attempting to make contact with Jones by knocking on the front door and announcing, “Sheriff’s Department.” At the same time, Sgt. Kevin Scanlan and deputies Nick Piernik and Kevin Gallagher of the sheriff’s department and other borough officers were positioned around the residence.
After several unsuccessful attempts to make contact with Jones, the deputies and police officers were preparing to leave. They were walking away from the front door when they heard it opening, and MacIntosh saw a man standing in the doorway of the firstfloor apartment.
“The male was holding what appeared to be a clear glass bottle, which appeared to contain some type of liquid with flames emanating from the top of the bottle. The male proceeded out the front door
and he threw the flaming bottle at the feet of Sgt. Maraini. The male then retreated back into the same residence,” according to the affidavit of probable cause document filed against Jones.
MacIntosh heard the glass breaking and then saw Maraini, engulfed in flames, running away from the front door and eventually collapse on MacDade Boulevard where Officer Scanlan proceeded to fan and pat down the flames.
Officer Dan Scanlan, who is the brother of Sgt. Kevin Scanlan, suffered bruising to his hand from trying to douse the flames on Maraini, as well as abrasions to his hands, knees, elbow and face.
When Jones retreated into his apartment, the incident then escalated into a barricaded subject, with police securing the perimeter of the building. The ordeal ended when Jones exited the house at the direction of police, at 5:22 p.m.
During an interview by Collingdale Police Cpl. William Carter and county detectives Lawrence Patterson and David Tyler, Jones said he heard both the knock at his front door and authorities announcing their presence. Jones reportedly said he was aware that a warrant for his arrest may have existed, the affidavit states.
“Jones went on to tell us that he just wanted the police to go away,” states the affidavit, authored by Carter and Patterson.
Jones reportedly told the officers he grabbed a clear bottle that contained what he thought was kerosene and lit a cloth on top of the bottle on fire, which he then threw toward the feet of the police.
According to Adams, Jones told the detectives during the interview that he did not want to return to prison.
The affidavit notes that at the time of the interview, “Jones had a strong odor of gasoline about his person.”
Police subsequently obtained a warrant to search Jones’ residence. As a result of that search, police recovered the following: Three glass containers with wicks, which contained suspected gasoline; a plastic container with a wick, which contained suspected gasoline; two plastic water bottles with an unknown liquid.
According to Adams, Jones at one point during the police interview blurted that he had the devices as protection from drug dealers.
Maraini has been with the Sheriff’s office for the last seven years. He also works part time for the Ridley Park Police Department, and previously worked part time for the Upland Police Department.
He couldn’t say enough about his county boss, Delaware County Sheriff Mary McFall Hopper, and her support over his injury, and even more for the support she lends to all members of the office every day. Maraini also expressed his thanks to his fellow law enforcement officers at the scene.
“I owe the officers and deputies my sincere debit of gratitude for their quick thinking and fast response,” Maraini said. “That fire was rapidly spreading.”
Maraini said the worst of his injuries is a small spot on his shin, which borders between a second- and third-degree burn and may require a skin graft. His other wounds should heal within about four weeks, he said he was told by doctors.
A photograph being shared on Facebook shows Maraini in a hospital bed, his lower legs covered with bandages. Standing behind him are the Scanlan brothers.
“Kevin has been my partner in the warrant division for five years. I’ve known Dan just as long,” Maraini said. “They’re like second family to me.”
Maraini said he had been planning to celebrate his birthday with a trip to an all-you-can-eat crab spot in West Chester. The celebration would have continued with a weekend trip to the family beach house.
“I guess I will be rehabbing here for a while,” he said.
According to Adams, Collingdale police officers have had previous contact with Jones at least 23 times, mostly involving harassment and neighborhood disturbances. The first contact dates back to 2013.
Jones was due to appear on Aug. 24 in Loftus’ court on a charge of harassment, subjecting other to physical contact. That alleged incident occurred on April 2, 2017, according to online court records.
Lorri Mooney, a neighbor of Jones’ who appeared at the preliminary arraignment in his support, said his actions Wednesday were “out of character.”