Hoboken Gunshots Lead to Police Foot Pursuit; Two Arrests

(ABOVE: vicinity of 5th & Jackson Streets, via google street maps)

Hoboken Police responding to shots fired eventually arrest two individuals who were seemingly involved in an altercation Monday night.

At 10:32 PM, HPD were dispatched to the area of 5^th and Jackson Street. Officer Tyrone Huggins and Officer Michael Aviles were investigating the shots fired call when they observed Thomas Bates, 32, of Hoboken pacing back and forth near a group of onlookers. Bates then reportedly pulled handgun out of his pocket, and as Officer Huggins and Officer Aviles approached shouting commands, Bates ran from the officers.

A foot pursuit was initiated, and as Bates was pursued he lost his footing and fell to the ground—causing the gun he was in possession discharged a single round. No one was hit from this discharged round and no officer discharged their weapon.

Officer Huggins and Officer Aviles were able to safely place Bates under arrest and secured the handgun. Bates was charged with Aggravated Assault, Resisting Arrest, Possession of Weapon for Unlawful Purpose, Unlawful Possession of Weapon, and Certain Person Not to Have Weapon. Bates charges were placed on a warrant and he was transported to the Hudson County Jail.

Detective/Sergeant William Collins, Detective Adam Colon and Detective John Quinones investigated the incident and determined that Malik High, 31, of Hoboken, was observed removing a handgun from his pocket, aiming the gun straight up into the air, and discharging a single round. A spent casing was later found nearby by Sgt. Collins.

On Tuesday morning, at about 11:30 a.m., Sergeant David Olivera located Malik High in the area of 3^rd and Jackson Street. Sgt. Olivera notified headquarters and Officer Frank Francolino and Officer Anthony Rutkowski responded as backup. High apprehended without incident, transported to police headquarters and charged Aggravated Assault, Possession of Weapon for Unlawful Purpose, Unlawful Possession of Weapon, and Certain Person Not to Have Weapon. High’s charges were placed on a warrant and he was transported to Hudson County Jail.

Hoboken Police Chief Kenneth Ferrante credited the HPD for what he called, “An outstanding collaboration of the Uniformed Officers on scene last night, the detectives who investigated this overnight, & the officers who just made the second arrest, brought us two arrests without anyone, (civilian, officers or suspects) being injured.”

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