DWI Arrest Leads Hoboken Police To Nab Wanted Passenger

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken police charged a man with DWI on Thursday night, then charged his passenger with aggravated assault when — according to police — they found out he was wanted in connection with an incident involving a woman two days earlier.

Arrested on Thursday were:

• Timothy Bracero, 46, from Union City, charged with: DWI, leaving the scene of an accident, driving while suspended, and failure to use headlights.
• Richard Francolino, 34, from Secaucus, charged with (due to a prior incident): aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon.

Police said that around 9:54 p.m. Thursday, communications officers reported to all police units that there was an apparent hit-and-run in the area of Third Street and Willow Avenue. The fleeing vehicle was described as a gold minivan last seen traveling east on First Street from Willow Avenue.

Moments later, Lt. Keith Rotondi reported seeing a similar vehicle traveling north on Washington Street from First Street with heavy front end damage and no headlights on, police said.

Rotondi performed a U-turn, caught up with the vehicle, and conducted a motor vehicle stop in the area of 329 Washington St.

At the same time, Officers Francis McCourt and Nicklas Valerius arrived as backup. Officer McCourt approached the operator and, based on his observations, placed the operator under arrest for DWI, police said.

The operator was identified as Timothy Bracero. Bracero had a passenger in his vehicle known to officers on scene as Richard Francolino, police said.

According to the police, "Officers were aware that Francolino was wanted from an incident that occurred two days prior. Detective Fabian Quinones and Detective Connor Milne arrived on scene, confirmed he was still wanted, and placed Francolino under arrest."

Both Bracero and Francolino were transported to police headquarters for processing.

Francolino was wanted for aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon in connection with an incident involving a woman two days earlier, police said.

The earlier incident

Police say that a woman had told police that on Tuesday, around 1:14 a.m., while in the area of Fourth and Willow Avenue, a man had "sprayed some type of chemical agent in her face," police said.

The victim reported that she was engaged in a verbal dispute with Francolino and as she turned to walk away, she felt some type of liquid substance hit her face, police said.

The victim reported a burning sensation to her face and walked into Hoboken University Medical Center for treatment.

The hospital notified the Hoboken Police Department and Officer Domenick Allegretta responded. As a result, a warrant complaint for Francolino’s arrest was issued.

After being processed on Thursday, Francolino was transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility.

Officer Damien Bates and Officer Marc Lombardi responded to the area of the accident and met with the owner of the parked vehicle that was struck.

Bracero was held for 12 hours and then released with a court date.

Defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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