Cops see rise in ‘synthetic cannabinoid’ use among Hoboken homeless
A class of synthetic drugs appears to be gaining popularity among the homeless population of Hoboken and neighboring cities, based on arrest reports provided by the Hoboken Police Department. Since June 25, at least nine individuals have been arrested and charged with possession of synthetic cannabinoids, a group of relatively new designer drugs that are intended to mimic marijuana but have been associated with a number of negative physical and mental effects.
A July 1 press release noted a “recent spike in the abuse of synthetic cannabinoids by the homeless individuals in our city.” The trend has prompted the HPD to set up undercover surveillance operations in some areas.
Synthetic cannabinoids first began to appear around a decade ago as a legal alternative to marijuana, and were marketed online and in head shops as herbal incense. The products are known colloquially as K2 or Spice, after two of the most popular early brand names.
According to police reports, suspected synthetic cannabinoids found in Hoboken were contained in bags labeled “Black Xtreme aroma therapy,” “Ninja,” “Super Strong Incense,” and “iBlown,” among other names.
The class of drugs was banned federally in 2012 and on the state level in 2013, but Captain Charles Campbell of the Hoboken Police Department Anti-Vice Bureau said he has seen a steady rise in their use since that time, driven primarily by their relatively low cost.
As to the rash of arrests in the past month, Campbell attributed it as much to Hoboken police becoming more adept at identifying the physical effects of the drugs on the users as to any recent increase in their usage.
One man arrested for possession of synthetic cannabinoids was found leaning against a fence with his eyes closed and saliva in his beard, according to a police report. Another was arrested after a bystander called police to report him lying on the ground in a disoriented state, a report stated.
A third individual, upon being questioned over his possession of a hand-rolled cigarette believed to contain synthetic cannabinoids, allegedly told police, “I don’t even smoke this stuff anymore. It almost killed me.”
Only one of the arrested men, Thomas Bellotti, 30, of Hoboken was charged with possession of synthetic cannabinoids with intent to distribute, after he was allegedly observed preparing a rolled cigarette of the substance for another man, a report stated.
Nationwide, a handful of deaths have been linked to the use of synthetic cannabinoids, which are believed to cause panic attacks.
Outfenced
For homeless Hoboken resident Tyrone Johnson, this past Tuesday was not a lucky day. According to a report from the Hoboken Police Department, Johnson, 55, allegedly tried to sell a stolen gold iPhone 6 to Captain Charles Campbell, the head of the Department’s Anti-Vice Bureau.
To make matters worse, Campbell was standing on Washington Street across from City Hall at the time of the alleged incident at around 5:30 p.m. on July 14. The officer was in plain clothes at the time, according to the police report.
According to Campbell, Johnson approached him and asked if he wanted to buy an iPhone. “Obviously I said yes,” said Campbell. Johnson allegedly produced the phone and offered it for $50.
Upon learning that he was speaking to a police detective, Johnson allegedly claimed he had found the smartphone on a train, according to the report. He was subsequently arrested and charged with receiving stolen property.
Campbell said the Hoboken Police Department was able to find the iPhone’s rightful owner and return it. In the process, he added, they ascertained that Johnson had allegedly stolen the phone from the victim’s Jersey City office while he was there asking for a job. This information was provided to the Jersey City Police Department, under whose jurisdiction potential additional charges would fall.
Due to his alleged history of failures to appear in court, Johnson was given $2,500 bail and remanded to the Hudson County Correctional Facility, according to the report.
Sleeping on sidewalk
A Hopatcong resident allegedly fled from police and resisted arrest after being found drunkenly sleeping on the sidewalk in front of a Sinatra Drive bar this past Sunday, according to a report from the Hoboken Police Department.
A New Jersey woman was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and aggravated assault on a police officer, the report stated.
The incident began when Hoboken patrol officer Robert Roman spotted the woman allegedly sleeping on the sidewalk in a “heavily intoxicated” state at around 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 12, according to police. When Roman approached in order to ascertain her well-being, she allegedly stood up and ran back into the bar, the report stated.
According to the police report, the woman allegedly exited the back of the establishment on foot and began running in and out of traffic. Roman was able to stop her and place her in an ambulance that had been summoned to the scene, the report said.
While she was being medically evaluated, she allegedly tried to flee the ambulance and was stopped by Roman and Officer Frank Francolino, according to police. She allegedly began yelling and flailing her arms and was placed under arrest. While being placed inside a police vehicle, the woman allegedly kicked Roman in the abdominal region, the report stated.
She was subsequently released on a summons after being medically cleared.
Five-finger discount
It seems a 40 percent discount on apparel wasn’t enough for one employee at the Washington Street outlet of women’s clothing retailer Anthropologie, who was arrested three weeks ago for allegedly stealing around $3,500 in merchandise from the store, according to a report from the Hoboken Police Department.
On Wednesday, July 1, uniformed officers responded to a call from the store’s loss prevention officer alleging that an employee was taking items without paying for them, the report stated. Upon arrival, the officers confronted the employee in question, Annais Angulo, 19, of North Bergen, who allegedly admitted to stealing the products, police said.
At the time of her arrest, Angulo was wearing or had on her person a number of items she allegedly admitted to stealing from the store, including a hooded sweatshirt, two necklaces, earrings, hand cream, and a lip balm, according to the report.
Angulo was charged with theft and theft by deception, police said. She was processed and released.