Allegedly tried to eat marijuana
A man allegedly tried to eat a bag of marijuana last week when he was stopped by police for an outstanding warrant.
Police were patrolling the 100 block of Willow Avenue on Wednesday, April 15 when they noticed Marcelo Centeno, 36, Hoboken, walking on the street. Centeno was known by the officers to have an outstanding warrant in Hoboken, so police asked him to stop, according to Captain Anthony Falco.
Centeno allegedly disregarded the order, increased his speed, and reached for something that officers saw him place in his mouth.
Officers assumed he was allegedly attempting to destroy evidence, and in the best interest of his safety, approached Centeno and grabbed his throat to expel the item, Falco said.
Centeno was allegedly attempting to swallow a bag of marijuana, police said, and he was placed under arrest.
Centeno was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, tampering with evidence, obstructing the administration of law, and failure to appear for a warrant.
Gunpoint robbery at 3:26 a.m.
A man was robbed at gunpoint of items totaling $2,280 on April 16 while entering his apartment building.
The victim was in the vestibule of his building at First Street and Park Avenue at 3:26 a.m. when he was approached from behind and allegedly pushed to the ground by an attacker, police said.
The victim described the attacker as a tall black male with a black handgun, Falco said. The attacker allegedly demanded the victim’s wallet, cell phone, and backpack with his laptop inside.
Although the victim was not carrying any cash, police said his losses totaled $2,280.
The victim told police he tried to get a clear look at the attacker’s face, but was allegedly struck in the head with the gun and told to stay on the ground.
Police searched the area but did not find any suspects. Falco said the investigation will continue.
The fiery gates of Hoboken
Police arrested a homeless man last week for allegedly setting fire to a gate in the area of Third Street and Willow Avenue.
A policeman patrolling the area recognized a known homeless man allegedly trying to enter the front gate of a property on April 16 at 4:16 a.m.
The officer told the man to stop what he was doing and leave the area – which he did – but as the officer circled the block to check back, the man returned and was allegedly attempting to set fire to a piece of tape on the gate, police said.
The officer approached the man, but he allegedly lit the tape with a match. As the officer placed the man, Michael Tufano, 55, under arrest, back-up officers arrived and tended to the gate.
The fire had spread and was burning a portion of the gate, police said, but officers were able to extinguish it.
Tufano was charged with arson and failure to appear for a warrant, Falco said.
GPSs still a thief magnet
Residents are still leaving GPS units in plain sight of would-be criminals, police said.
Last week, police responded to five incidents of theft from residents’ cars, including a smashed front windshield of a 2004 Saab on Sunday, April 12.
Police said the car owner had the GPS unit in a holder attached to the windshield; like many of these instances, they were unable to find any suspects.
Police are asking that residents remove any visible valuables from their vehicles to avoid more smash-and-grab thefts.