On May 9, 2024, at approximately 7:55 p.m., Police Officer Anthony Hochstadter and Shyenna Vega responded to the 500 block of Madison Street, on reports of a car blocking a driveway, with the driver sleeping behind the wheel. They approached the vehicle which was parked in front of a fire hydrant with the engine running, and they observed a man, later identified as 41-year-old Jose Palta of Jersey City, in the driver’s seat. He appeared to be sleeping and drooling. The officers knocked on the windows several times to try and wake him up, which he eventually did. Officers opened the door, shut off the car, and removed the keys from the ignition. Officers observed his eyes to be glassy, his behavior lethargic, and smelled the odor of alcoholic beverage emanating from his breath. Police Officers Joseph Spano, Marvin DeJesus, Cynthia Rivera, and Remy Garcia-Marte arrived on the scene to assist. Officers observed one empty beer can, one empty beer bottle, and three unopened beer bottles in the vehicle. Palta refused a standardized field sobriety test multiple times and he was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. He was transported to Hoboken Police Headquarters and issued a summons for driving while intoxicated, being an unlicensed driver, and for blocking a fire hydrant. As per John’s Law, Palta was released into the custody of a responsible party.
On May 10, 2024, at approximately 12:40 a.m., Sgt. James Barbro and Police Officers Aaron Font, Nicholas Protopapadakis, Christopher Soto, David Chicara, Shawn Sodora, and Alexander Miller responded to the Hoboken University Medical Center on reports that a patient, later identified as 44-year-old Juan Lopez, of Jersey City had a firearm in his possession. When the officers arrived, they immediately secured the weapon, which was loaded. They also found a folding knife and canister of pepper spray in Lopez’ bag. It was later discovered the handgun had been reported stolen in Tennessee in 2003. It was also discovered that Lopez was previously convicted of robbery and aggravated assault, making him a person not allowed to possess a weapon. While assigned to watch Lopez at the hospital, Police Officer Teddy Santiago found a clear glass container with a yellow fluid inside, believed to be PCP. Lopez was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun, two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of hollow point bullets, receiving stolen property, possession with intent to distribute CDS, two counts of possession of a firearm for unlawful purposes, and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes. He was issued a summons with a court date and released from police custody.
On May 10, 2024, at approximately 10:50 p.m., Police Officers Nasir Willey and Harry Montalvo responded to the Hoboken University Medical Center, 308 Willow Ave., on reports of a woman, who was identified as 33-year-old Cassandra Montanez of Union City, walked into the lobby and threw a bottle at employees at the registration desk. She left but came back and threw another glass bottle at the sliding entrance doors before fleeing the area. A warrant was issued on charges of aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of weapons for unlawful purposes. It was also learned that Montanez had outstanding warrants in Jersey City for simple assault and theft. A few days later, on May 13, 2024, Police Officers Jessica Arebalo and Arturo Gonzalez arrested Montanez when she came into police headquarters to inquire about lost property. She was processed on all the charges and transported to Hudson County Correctional Facility.
On May 11, 2024, at approximately 1:20 a.m., Police Officer Frank Losurdo and Harry Montalvo responded to the 1100 block of Adams Street on reports of a man slumped forward in the driver seat of a car. When they arrived, they saw the vehicle blocking the entrance to a parking lot on the corner of 11th and Adams Street and observed damage to the front end of the car. They approached the car and observed the driver, later identified as 44-year-old Derek DiNapoli of Clifton, sleeping with his hand on the gear shift. After several verbal commands, DiNapoli woke up and appeared to be under the influence. He was unable to answer basic questions or complete words. While speaking with DiNapoli, officers could see several wax folds containing suspected CDS heroin in his lap. He was told to exit the car, which he did, and dropped the wax folds that were in his lap onto the street. He was advised that he was being placed under arrest and handcuffed. A search incident to arrest found 26 wax folds containing a white powdery substance suspected to be CDS heroin; some were dropped as he exited the car, and others were in his pocket. Officers found additional wax folds on the floor of the front passenger seat. Police Officers Nicholas Protopapadakis and Christopher Soto arrived on the scene. A search of the vehicle located 21 additional empty wax folds of CDS in a brown paper bag. During transport to the Hoboken Police Department, DiNapoli yelled at officers, threatening them with physical violence. He was charged with possession of CDS, making terroristic threats, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was issued a summons for driving while intoxicated and possession of CDS in a motor vehicle. He was transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility.
On May 11, 2024, at approximately 2:40 a.m., Police Officers Aaron Font and Shawn Sodora responded to the 200 block of Washington Street, after Lt. Donald Rosso was flagged down by three pedestrians who were struck in a hit and run. Witnesses gave officers a description of the vehicle and the license plate number and said the driver fled northbound on Washington Street. The victims were treated on scene by the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corps and two of the three were transported to area hospitals. Weehawken Police located the vehicle in their jurisdiction and stopped it around 24th Street and Palisade Avenue. The driver, later identified as 24-year-old Fredis Avila Vasquez of Union City, was taken into custody in Weehawken. Hoboken Police Officer Joshua Campoverde arrived on the scene to conduct a field sobriety test, after which Vasquez was placed under arrest. He was transported to Hoboken Police Headquarters and issued a summons for driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, and leaving the scene of an accident with injury. He was also charged with three counts of assault by auto. As per John’s Law, he was released into the custody of a responsible party.
On May 11, 2024, at approximately 5:13 a.m., Police Officer Christopher Soto and Nicholas Protopapadakis responded to the 1500 block of Hudson Street on reports of a theft. The suspect was at an Exxon Gas Station in Weehawken, with Weehawken Police already on scene. Officers learned that a concierge left the front desk of a building for a few moments, and when she returned, she realized that a bag holding an Apple watch, Apple Air Pods, and iPhone charger, along with her wallet and makeup bag were missing. She looked at surveillance video and saw a man pry open the lobby door, go behind the desk, and steal the bag and wallet. A family member noticed a person matching the description of the suspect at the gas station and called police. The person in question, later identified as 24-year-old Bryan Alvarez-Caceras of Dumont, was arrested. Hoboken Police transported him to Hoboken Police Headquarters where he was charged with burglary and theft before being released on a summons.
On May 11, 2024, at approximately 4:50 p.m., Police Officers Jessica Pizanie and Jason Montalvo were patrolling the Hoboken Housing Authority on the 200 block of Harrison Street when they saw a woman they recognized as 42-year-old Shavon Smith, and knew she was not a resident. When they approached Smith, they observed her starting to light a glass cylindrical pipe commonly used to smoke CDS. As police began to handcuff her, she attempted to run away. She was caught almost immediately and placed under arrest. Smith was transported to Hoboken Police Headquarters for processing on charges of resisting arrest, possession of drug paraphernalia, and defiant trespassing. She was transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility.
On May 12, 2024, at approximately 2:05 a.m., Police Officers Frank Losurdo and Nicholas Protopapadakis responded to the Hoboken University Medical Center, 308 Willow Ave., on reports of a woman, later identified as 49-year-old Patricia Lavacchi of Hoboken, making threats of violence toward Sgt. Chris Labruno who was on assignment in the hospital. Lavacchi was arrested and transported to Hoboken Police Headquarters where she was processed on charges of making terroristic threats. She was transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility.
On May 13, 2024, at approximately 8:50 a.m., Police Officers Arturo Gonzalez, Anthony Azzoline, Tyrone Huggins, and Harold Milne were patrolling the Hoboken Housing Authority when they observed a man walk into a building on the 500 block of Marshall Drive. When they approached the man, later identified as 25-year-old Manuel Fuentes Chica of West New York, he could not produce proof that he lived in the HHA building and provided a fake age. A search incident to arrest recovered two glass cylinders both with a steel wool fiber filter and burn marks commonly referred to as a crack pipe, one metal rod commonly used as a push rod to clear out a crack pipe, a straw, four pieces of steel wool fiber, and one small transparent gray color plastic container with cap lid, commonly used to transport and store controlled dangerous substance. They also found nine pieces of ripped wax folds, one ripped wax fold which contained a white powdery substance believed to be CDS heroin, and a piece of plastic wrap containing a powdery white rock believed to be CDS crack cocaine. Police Officer Joseph Lupo arrived on the scene. Fuentes Chicas was transported to police headquarters where he was processed for hindering his own apprehension, criminal trespassing, possession of CDS heroin, possession of CDS crack cocaine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released on a summons.
On May 13, 2024, at approximately 2:10 p.m., Police Officers Daniel Grossi and Jesse Castellano were driving near the intersection of Fifth and Madison Streets when they saw a man they recognized as 33-year-old Armando Torres of Jersey City walking with a white garbage bag that appeared to be filled with items. They circled the block and saw him no longer holding the bag, but rather a package in plastic wrapping. They pulled over, exited the vehicle, and approached Torres while identifying themselves as police officers. They could see he was holding a pair of women’s pants which Torres couldn’t produce a receipt for. They placed Torres under arrest and a search incident to arrest revealed more stolen women's clothing items, including a shirt and shorts. They also found two glass cylindrical pipes containing a brown residue on the tip commonly used to smoke suspect CDS crack cocaine. Police Officer Jennifer Lee arrived on the scene and transported Torres to Hoboken Police Headquarters. Torres was charged with receiving stolen property and possession of drug paraphernalia. Torres was remanded to the Hudson County Correctional Facility.
On May 13, 2024, at approximately 1:50 p.m., Police Officers Harold Milne, Anthony Azzoline, and Joseph Lupo were on the 400 block of Jackson Street when they saw a man they recognized as 47-year-old Joshua Martinez of Hoboken who they knew had two warrants out of Hoboken, both for aggravated assault on the same victim. On April 14, 2024, Police Officers Aaron Font and Teddy Santiago took a report in which the victim said Martinez swung a knife at his face before the victim ran off. A few days later, on April 17, 2024, Police Officer Frank Francolino took a report in which the victim said Martinez grabbed a large stick and swung it twice at the victim; once narrowly missing his head and the second time hitting him in the shoulder, breaking the stick. Martinez found a mop in a garbage can and started to unscrew the mop head, making the victim believe he was planning to use the stick as a weapon, but the victim was able to get away. Martinez was charged with two counts of aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes, and the unlawful possession of a weapon. Those charges were placed on a warrant. On May 13, Officers Milne and Azzoline stopped and detained Martinez and confirmed the warrants. Martinez was placed under arrest. A search incident to arrest located a jagged cylindrical glass pipe burnt at one end containing burnt copper mesh commonly known as a crack pipe, a metal push rod commonly used to pack and clean the pipe, a small plastic bag wrapped in a knot containing a white crystalized rock suspected to be CDS crack cocaine, and a white wax fold containing white powder suspected to be CDS heroine. He was further charged with possession of CDS crack cocaine, possession of CDS heroine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Martinez was processed on all charges and ultimately transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility.
On May 13, 2024, at approximately 7:50 p.m., Lt. Michael Costello and Police Officers Jessica Pizanie and Jessica Arebalo responded to the 200 block of Bloomfield Street on reports of a homeless person refusing to leave the doorway of a business. When they arrived, they found 58-year-old Lea Lim, and told her she needed to leave the doorway. Lim disregarded orders and began to move her property in and out of bags, blocking the entrance and exit to the business inside. Officers began to help her move her property out of the way and she took a fighting stance against them and attempted to engage in a physical altercation. When she was informed that she was under arrest, she began to flail her arms, tense up, and pulled away. She was eventually placed under arrest and transported to headquarters for processing on charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. She was released with a summons.
On May 13, 2024, at approximately 4:30 p.m., Police Officer Ramon Estrella was driving on 14th Street near Bloomfield Street when he came upon a car crash, with no injuries involved. It was learned that one of the drivers, identified as 21-yearold Neovanni Caraballo of Jersey City was not the registered owner of the vehicle he was driving. A check of his driver's license status revealed that he had an outstanding warrant out of Jersey City. He was arrested and transported to Hoboken Police Headquarters for processing. He was released with a new court date.
On May 14, 2024, at approximately 12:50 a.m., Police Officers Nasire Willey and Daniela Simone responded to the 100 block of Monroe Street on reports of a fight. When they arrived, they observed four people having a verbal altercation. On scene investigation revealed that an actor, identified as 18-year-old Kalil Blake of Hoboken took a family member's vehicle and when another family member tried to stop him, Blake punched him in the face. That person did not want to file a complaint. Blake was arrested and transported to Hoboken Police Headquarters. He was charged with unlawful taking by means of conveyance, issued a summons for driving without a license, and released.
On May 14, 2024, at approximately 2:25 p.m., Sgt. Anthony Russo and Police Officers Daniel Grossi and Jesse Castellano were driving on the 300 block of Jackson Street when they saw a man they recognized as 49-year-old Kenneth Salazar of Union City, who they knew was wanted on a warrant out of Hoboken for shoplifting. They confirmed the warrant, and he was placed under arrest. Police Officers Dylan Archilla and Jessica Lee arrived on scene. A search incident to arrest revealed one glass cylindrical pipe containing a brown residue suspected to be CDS crack cocaine. He was additionally charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. He was processed at Hoboken Police Headquarters and transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility.
On May 14, 2024, at approximately 8:50 p.m., Police Officer Daniel Grossi met with a man, identified as 50-year-old Timothy Bracero of Jersey City, who walked into Hoboken Police Headquarters to turn himself in on a traffic related summons. Bracero was placed under arrest and further charged with bail jumping. He was transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility.
On May 14, 2024, at approximately 9:30 p.m., Police Officers Jason Montalvo and Ramon Calderon responded to ShopRite, 900 Madison St., on reports of a shoplifter that had been detained by store security. When they arrived, they learned that the actor, later identified as 23-year-old Anyi Calderon of the Bronx, was seen concealing items in a stroller and then walk past the registers without paying for nine items, which came to a total of approximately $205.35. Calderon was transported to Hoboken Police Headquarters where she was charged with shoplifting. She was released on a summons.
On May 14, 2024, at approximately 11:50 p.m., Police Officer Matthew Bonanno responded to Hoboken Police Headquarters, to process the arrest of 26-year-old Kayla Moreno of Hoboken, who had walked into Police Headquarters to turn herself in on multiple warrants out of Hoboken for burglary, shoplifting, theft, and loitering to obtain or distribute CDS. She was additionally charged with failure to appear. After being processed, Moreno was transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility.
On Wednesday May 15, 2024, at approximately 6:30 a.m., Police Officers Alexander Miller and Anthony Ingraffia were patrolling on the 600 block of Washington Street when they observed a man who matched the description of 33- year-old Kemar Dickenson of Hoboken, who was wanted on an active warrant for resisting arrest from the Hudson County Sheriff's Department. Lt. Edward Sellick and Police Officer Keven De La Cruz arrived on the scene to assist. Dickenson was advised he had an active warrant and was placed under arrest. He was transported to Hoboken Police Headquarters and processed. He was transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility.
On May 15, 2024, at approximately 2:55 p.m., Detective Michael Losurdo, Sgt. Savario Binetti, and Police Officers Nick Valerius and Jessica Pizanie responded to the 500 block of Jackson Street, where a man known to them as 41-year-old David Diaz of Hoboken was observed. Diaz was wanted on multiple warrants including resisting arrest. As Diaz saw officers approaching, he dropped a bicycle he had in his possession and began to run up a staircase. When he was advised to stop by police, he did not comply and ran up to a second-floor landing and then went into an apartment, which is where officers were able to safely place him under arrest. A search incident to arrest located three foldable knives, a package of razor blades, and a glass pipe, burnt at both ends which is commonly used to smoke CDS crack cocaine. Diaz was transported to Hoboken Police Headquarters where he was processed. He was found to have an open warrant for trespassing. Diaz was also wanted on a warrant issued May 8 by Sgt. Adam Colon for resisting arrest, eluding an officer after he fled from police. After being arrested he was also charged with riding an electric bicycle on a sidewalk, riding a bicycle the wrong way on a oneway street, and receiving stolen property. That was in connection to reports of a bicycle theft reported on May 13, on the 300 block of Garden Street. Diaz was ultimately transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility.
On Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at approximately 4:10 p.m., Police Officers Shelby Seickendick and Shyenna Vega were in the area of 300 Harrison Street when they observed individuals, they knew to be 27-year-old Donasia Hicks of Elizabeth and 24-year-old Amir Goodwin of Hoboken and knew they both had active warrants. Police Officers Remy Garcia-Marte, Christopher Barral, Mark Mooreman, and Kyle Seper were also on the scene. Both were arrested and transported to Hoboken Police Headquarters. Goodwin was processed on a warrant from the Hudson County Sheriff's Office for aggravated assault. Hicks was processed on stalking. Hicks and Goodwin were transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility.