Hoboken Cops Injured And Man Charged After Alleged Pet Shop Theft

HOBOKEN, NJ — The Hoboken police said on Monday morning that a man had been charged on Thursday with robbery, aggravated assault, and resisting arrest after allegedly shoplifting dog jackets at a pet shop on Washington Street and running away. Two police officers were injured during the pursuit and apprehension.

Jose Vanegas, 23, was arrested and charged in the area of 300 Bloomfield St.

Police said that just before noon, Officer Steven Albert, who was in a police car, observed two males running southbound on Park Avenue approaching Third Street. The first man was chasing the second. The man giving chase waved at Officer Albert, yelling, “Police! Police! Stop Him, he just robbed me!”

Officer Albert exited the car and told the man in front to stop. According to police, the man did not. Officer Albert engaged in a foot pursuit, chasing the man west on Third Street. Then he apprehended him.

According to police, Albert and the man wound up on the ground, and the man resisted Albert's attempt to handcuff him. "As Officer Albert struggled with the [man], Officer Bernardo Munoz arrived and assisted with placing the [man] under arrest," according to police.

Police charge that the man had allegedly placed six dog jackets in a green backpack and allegedly attempted to leave without paying. An employee attempted to stop the man and was allegedly punched twice in the head. As the man fled, police say, he then allegedly took a chalkboard sign from the front of East LA, the Mexican restaurant. And employee of East LA chased the man, and that's when he spotted Officer Albert.

Police say that Officer Munoz injured his hamstring and is currently out injured. Officer Albert suffered an abrasion to his knee. He was treated by an ambulance and refused further medical treatment. He returned to duty.

Vanegas was transported to the Hudson County Jail.