Ringing phone gives man away
A 26-year-old man was caught in a bit of an awkward situation after police allege he denied stealing a 55-year-old man’s cell phone – and then it rang in his pocket.
The victim told police that while he was asleep at the Hoboken train terminal, Antonio Santiago allegedly stole his phone and charger. Police say Santiago denied taking the phone, but when they called the phone, they heard it ring in Santiago’s pocket.
He was placed under arrest at the scene for theft. During the pat-down search of the suspect, police say they found three small, clear plastic bags containing what they allege to be marijuana, according to a police report.
Santiago was also charged with possession of marijuana under 50 grams, police said.
Off-duty corrections officer charged with assault on Patriots fan
Perhaps some fans took it a little too seriously when the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots on Nov. 6.
Officers were called to the scene of a fight at approximately 8 p.m. near Second Street and Willow Avenue and found a 22-year-old man lying on his side wearing a Patriots jersey, according to police.
David Blumenthal, 26, an off-duty New Jersey State Prison Corrections officer, approached the police and told them that he struck the alleged victim out of self-defense, a police report said.
The report said Blumenthal was standing with a friend who told the Patriots fan that his team wasn’t very good, to put it kindly, according to police. Blumenthal claimed to police that the Patriots fan allegedly “charged him and swung wildly with his right hand,” police said. The off-duty officer allegedly struck the victim multiple times after identifying himself as a cop, according to police.
A witness said Blumenthal was allegedly holding the 22-year-old down, saying, “I’m a cop; you’ve got to leave,” according to police.
The Patriots fan, who was transported to Hoboken University Medical Center, told police he only remembers walking in the area when an individual came up to him and allegedly struck him in the face, but he was unable to provide details.
Police say the alleged victim seemed to have been drinking, according to a report.
Blumenthal was charged with aggravated assault.
Homeless man charged with burglary
On Nov. 6 at approximately 1 a.m., police arrested Edward Karl, 55, a homeless man, after he allegedly threw rocks at a car and tried to break in, according to a police report.
Police responded to 12th and Madison streets on the report of a man allegedly throwing rocks at a car, police said. Police say when they arrived, they saw two males running in the area. One was an off-duty New York City police officer who said he witnessed Karl allegedly try to break into a Jeep, police said. The off-duty officer told police that he heard a large smash and saw Karl allegedly leaning into the vehicle, according to police.
Karl told police he did not break into the car, but he was arrested and charged with burglary, according to police.
Says he’s a cop, gets arrested
On Nov. 5 at approximately 1 a.m., a 25-year-old man was arrested near a downtown River Street nightclub after allegedly yelling and screaming, which frightened patrons in line, according to a police report.
Antoinne Morgano allegedly said that all his friends were in the club, and he should be allowed in because he’s a cop, according to police. However, it turns out Morgano is a security guard in Newark and not a cop, police said.
After police asked Morgano to present identification, he allegedly resisted, yelling obscenities at officers, according to police. Police decided to arrest the man after he allegedly refused to provide identification and kept yelling.
Morgano allegedly punched an officer in the face during the arrest, according to police. Morgano was charged with disorderly conduct, obstruction of a governmental function, resisting arrest, and aggravated assault, according to police.
Disliked man assaulted
Two males allegedly punched a 29-year-old Jersey City man in the face on Nov. 5 at approximately 2 a.m. near Newark and Washington streets, according to a police report.
The alleged victim told police that two men had suddenly struck him about the head and face, and then fled the area, police said.
During the struggle, the 29-year-old also said he lost his $400 cell phone.
The man told police that he doesn’t know why he was attacked, and that “many people don’t like him,” according to a police report.
The man appeared to be intoxicated, police said, and he described the alleged attackers as possibly Asian or Hispanic, with one riding a scooter, according to police.
Police are investigating the incident.
Hoboken man allegedly kicks out police window
Eduardo Malave, 37, of Hoboken was arrested on Nov. 2 after an alleged fight at 10:20 a.m. at the corner of Adams and First streets.
Police say they were travelling on First Street when they saw two men having an argument. An officer saw Malave allegedly strike a man with his fist in the left eye, according to police. Even though it was 10:20 a.m., both men involved appeared to be intoxicated, police said.
Malave was placed under arrest, but police allege that he was “highly agitated” and “kicked out the rear driver side window using his feet,” police said.
He was charged with simple assault and criminal mischief.
Malave has previously been arrested and charged with assault, and was arrested in September after allegedly threatening to jump into the Hudson River.