Hoboken Man Allegedly Strikes Man And Wife, Released To Streets

HOBOKEN, NJ — A man and his wife were allegedly assaulted in uptown Hoboken by a stranger on Monday morning. The latter was arrested, charged with simple assault, and ultimately released on a summons.

The victim talked to Patch on Wednesday and said he did not know the suspect, and is concerned about his release. He said the incident was "random."

Police provided the following information on the alleged assault:

On Monday in the area of 10th and Washington streets, at 6:45 a.m., a man was struck from behind with a garbage can. The man turned around and saw the suspect.

"A physical altercation ensued," says the report. "As [the suspect] was engaged in a physical altercation with the victim, the victim’s wife came to her husband’s aid."

The suspect allegedly "also became involved in a physical altercation with the victim’s wife."

The two alleged victims were able to get away, and flagged down Officer John Hermann, who was patrolling in the area. They provided a description.

Sgt. Robert Roman, Officer Christopher Barral, and Officer Joshua Campoverde stopped a man named Rakeem Nichols, 28, of Hoboken, in the area of 1108 Bloomfield St., police said.

"On scene investigation lead to the discovery of one of the victim’s cell phones [allegedly] in Nichols' possession," according to the police.

Nichols was transported to headquarters, where a continuation of the investigation was conducted by Det. Michael Miranda.

Nichols was ultimately charged with two counts of simple assault.

One of the victims of the alleged assault, who asked that his name not be used, talked to Patch and alleged that he and his wife were both injured in the attack.

"It was random," he said. "There was nothing said during the entire episode."

He said that he took his wife to a doctor's appointment later in the day, and when they got back, they saw the suspect walking on the street.

Hoboken Police Chief Ken Ferrante said, in response, "The alleged assault and attack that occurred to these two victims is terrible. Our officers were able to make an arrest within minutes. Unfortunately for the victims, in the era of criminal justice reform that began in New Jersey three years ago, any discretion from law enforcement officers to interpret court rules in deciding if charges should be placed on a summons or a warrant was taken away."

(To read more about those controversial reforms, click here.)

Ferrante added, "Against what most police investigators and officers would wish, the charges against this suspect was determined to be placed on a summons and to release him until his court appearance. If convicted, the suspect can still face imprisonment.”

Ferrite confirmed that the man's court appearance in Municipal Court is slated for April 1. At that time, he can enter a plea.