Hoboken Man Allegedly Kicks 3 Cops During Crack Arrest: Police

HOBOKEN, NJ — Three Hoboken police officers were allegedly assaulted by a man as he was being arrested for alleged possession of heroin and crack cocaine in the stairwell of the public housing projects, police said.

Pedro Soto, 56, of Hoboken was arrested on Monday, Dec. 23 at 9:24 p.m. in the stairwell of 311 Harrison St. He was charged with burglary, aggravated assault on police officer, resisting arrest with force, obstruction of the administration of law, possession of heroin, possession of crack cocaine, and failure to turn over CDS (controlled dangerous substance) to law enforcement.

Police said that a citizen told two officers that someone was engaged in unusual behavior in the stairwell. Sgt. Nicholas Burke, Officer Michael Straten, and Officer Francis McCourt responded and found Soto on the steps. Officer Marc Lombardi and Officer Harold Milne arrived to assist. When Soto was told to stand up, police observed a wax fold used for drugs on the steps, according to the report. Police said that Soto had, in one hand, "money sticking out and unable to tell what was in the other hand."

Police placed him under arrest, but he would not release what was in his hands, according to the report.

As Soto was being handcuffed, he allegedly kicked Milne in the shin. Police recovered wax folds and a bag believing to contain heroin and cocaine. Then, Soto allegedly kicked Straten in the thigh and McCourt in the torso. Soto was brought to headquarters, then to the Hudson County Jail.

The officers were not seriously injured, returned to duty, and completed their shifts, the report said.