The Hoboken Police Department arrested residents Thomas Bates, 32, and Malik High, 31, this week in connection to the report of shots fired on Monday, Feb. 3 in the area of Fifth and Jackson streets.
According to a press release from the department, Feb. 3 at about 10:32 p.m. officers were dispatched to the area of Fifth and Jackson streets on the report of a gunshot.
Officers Tyrone Huggins and Michael Aviles were investigating the call when they saw Bates pacing back and forth near a group of people near 501 Marshall Dr.
When he allegedly pulled an object, identified as a handgun, out of his pocket, the officers approached Bates and “shouted commands” but he allegedly ran from the officers. According to the press release, the officers chased him and he lost his footing and fell to the ground.
As Bates fell, the gun he allegedly possessed fired a single shot but no one was hit.
The officers placed Bates under arrest and secured the handgun before he was transported first to the hospital and then to Police Department headquarters.
Bates was charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, and certain persons not to have a weapon. His charges were placed on a warrant and he was transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility.
Detective Sergeant William Collins, Detective Adam Colon, Detective John Quinones investigated the incident and determined a second man had been involved.
At about 10:31 p.m. they learned that a man, identified as Malik High, was seen in front of 501 Marshall Dr. removing an object identified as a handgun allegedly from his pocket before he allegedly aimed the gun straight up into the air and fired a single shot.
A bullet casing was later found by Collins in the area where High had been seen allegedly firing the weapon. It was this discharged round which initiated the call for police.
The following day, Feb. 4 at about 11:30 a.m., Sergeant David Olivera located Malik High in the area of Third and Jackson streets. Olivera notified headquarters and Officer Frank Francolino and Officer Anthony Rutkowski responded as backup.
They were able to arrest High without incident before he was transported to police headquarters and charged with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, and a certain person not to have a weapon.
High’s charges were placed on a warrant and he was transported to Hudson County Correctional Facility.
Both men are considered innocent until proven guilty.
