Hoboken Man Charged With Assault After Hammer Attack At Senior Building: Police

HOBOKEN, NJ — Police charged a Hoboken man with aggravated assault and drug charges Tuesday afternoon in connection with what they said was an attack with a hammer in March.

Police charged Antonio Melendez Jr., 52, of Hoboken with aggravated assault, weapons possession, certain persons not to have a weapon, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and drug paraphernalia, they said.

Police said that on March 22, officers Christopher Soto and Aaron Font and Det. Mark Mullins responded shortly after 8:30 p.m. to the lobby of 311 13th St. — the senior citizen complex known as Fox Hill Gardens — on a report of a man being assaulted with a hammer.

Upon arrival, police said, Soto met with a victim who was bleeding from a head laceration.

The person said he was involved in a verbal argument over a bicycle with a man later identified as Melendez, police said.

"The argument became physical when Mr. Melendez took a hammer out of his bag and struck the victim in the head with it," police said Tuesday. "During the on-scene investigation, officers were able to identify Mr. Melendez as the person who struck the victim with the hammer. Prior to the Police arriving, Mr. Melendez fled the area."

The victim was transported to a local hospital where he received several stitches.

The charges against Melendez were placed on a warrant.

Detective Mullins happened to see Melendez near Fifth and Adams streets on Tuesday afternoon, police said. After confirming that there was still an outstanding warrant, Melendez was arrested.

During a search, police said, they found suboxone and drug paraphernalia.

"While at headquarters, a second warrant was generated for being in possession of those items today," police said. "Mr. Melendez will be transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility."

See prior Hoboken crime and safety news on Patch here.