Arrests Made After Woman is Pepper-Sprayed & Robbed in Hoboken

Hoboken Police have made arrests in the case involving a female who was pepper sprayed in the face and robbed of her back pack less than two weeks ago.

The incident occurred a bit after 9:00 p.m. on January 15 in the vicinity of Bloomfield Street between 12th and 13th Street and involved two perpetrators—one wearing black down winter jacket, black pants with a white stripe down the side, and white sneakers; the second wearing a black hooded sweat shirt, black winter jacket, black pants, and black sneakers.

***SEE ALSO: Woman Attacked in Hoboken Parking Garage, Man Arrested for Aggravated Sexual Assault***

Those perpetrators reportedly sprayed the victim in the face with some form of pepper spray, then grabbed the victim’s back pack and forcefully pulled it away from her. The victim was found bleeding from the head and taken to Hoboken University Medical Center, where she was treated and then released that evening.

Officers in the Hoboken Investigations Bureau were able to ascertain that those involved in the robbery fled southbound from the incident, turned west on 12th Street and at the intersection of 12th and Garden Street they jumped into the back seat of a white Nissan Sentra. There was a third party in that vehicle waiting for them, as the vehicle was parked and running. They drove off and fled the area.

On January 23, Det. Michael Miranda and Det. Vito Gigante arrested Ajarae Clarke, 20, of Plainfield, NJ. She was transported to the Hoboken Police Department and was charged with Robbery and Conspiracy to commit Robbery. Clarke’s charges were placed on a warrant and she was transported to the Hudson County Jail.

Plainfield Police Department arrested Malachi Belton 19, of Plainfield, at HPD’s request. Belton was charged with Robbery, Conspiracy to commit Robbery, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and Endangering and Injured Victim. Belton’s charges were placed on a warrant and he was transported to the Hudson County Jail.

There is currently no official word on the suspected third perpetrator. The defendants named above by the Hoboken Police Department are innocent until proven guilty.

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