3 Arrested In Hoboken After Cops Find Loaded Gun, Drugs In Car

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken police who were investigating an improperly parked car found a loaded gun and drugs inside, officials say.

Jaheem Harmon, 24, of Hoboken was charged with several weapons and drug offenses, police said.

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Police said that on April 27, around 5 p.m., officers David Smentkowski and Kevin Vargas saw an improperly parked car on the 300 block of Jackson Street.

As they talked to the driver, they saw a large bag containing smaller bags of suspected marijuana, along with "materials consistent with illegal narcotics distribution," police said.

Officers Carmen Benitez and Valentino Salgado responded to help.

Harmon "became verbally combative, ignored officers’ commands, attempted to remove the bag from the vehicle, and tried to prevent officers from retrieving it," police say.

Police found a loaded handgun underneath the bag, they said.

Harmon was arrested and charged with:

• Unlawful possession of a weapon/handgun without a permit
• Possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose
• Possession of a firearm while committing a CDS (controlled dangerous substance)-related crime
• Possession of CDS with intent to distribute
• Possession of CDS with intent to distribute within 500 feet of certain public property
• Distribution of CDS on or near school property
• Possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia
• Obstruction of the administration of law
• Resisting arrest

He was also issued summonses for improper parking, restricted parking, and having an open/unsealed cannabis container, police said.

Harmon was taken to the Hudson County Correctional Facility.

Two Other Arrests

Two other people — Tahmir Mitchell, 21, and Khalil Murray, 21, both of Hoboken — were arrested for trying to interfere with police taking the bag, police said.

They were charged with aggravated assault, hindering, obstruction, and resisting arrest, police said. Mitchell was also charged with contempt.

Both were taken to the Hudson County Correctional Facility.

Police said they uncovered a "large quantity" of marijuana in various packages and pouches, as well as cannabis products in liquid form.

A Hoboken police spokesperson said the recent arrests — which resulted from investigating improperly parked cars — showed "the department’s continued commitment to proactive policing and highlighting the continued vigilance of officers, even during routine calls for service."