KNIFEPOINT ROBBERY IN HOBOKEN: Days After Violent Drug Bust by Hoboken PD, Suspect Beats & Robs Man on the Street

(ABOVE: An assailant used an edged weapon similar to this to rob a victim of cash on December 28.)

A victim was beaten and robbed at knifepoint in Hoboken, allegedly by a man who had been arrested by Police just days prior in another violent altercation.

At 1:45 a.m. December 28, 2019, Hoboken Police Officer Marc Lombardi and Officer Brandon Fitzgibbons met with a victim near 2^nd and Madison Street after a reported robbery. The victim claimed he was approached by an unknown male and punched from behind. The victim tried to fight off the actor/perpetrator, but stopped when he pulled out a knife. The robber then rummaged through the victim’s pocket and removed about twenty dollars.

Detective Adam Colon investigated the robbery and with the assistance of Detective John Quinones and Detective Michael Losurdo, they were able to identify the alleged robber as Mark Willis, 54, of Hoboken. Within 18 hours of the robbery, Willis was apprehended by Hoboken PD—charged with Robbery, Possession of Weapon for Unlawful Purpose, Unlawful Possession of Weapon. He was also charged with Possession of CDS (Crack Cocaine), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Contempt of Court.

Willis was known to Hoboken Police, as he had been arrested on December 23rd for aggravated assault on an officer, unlawful weapons, and drug paraphernalia. During that incident, Willis injured two Hoboken Police Officers, sending one to the hospital.

Upon his arrest for the December 28th incident, Willis was transported to the Hudson County Jail.

***