Hoboken Police: Arrests After Assaults With Golf Club, Shovel

HOBOKEN, NJ — A pair of Hudson County residents allegedly went on the attack with a shovel and a golf club in a pair of separate incidents on Sunday, Hoboken police said.

According to the Hoboken Police Department, officers responded to the area of 2nd and Washington streets around 6 p.m. after receiving a report about a person struck in the face with a shovel. As the officers arrived on the scene, Varnell Richardson, 31, of Jersey City, allegedly ran towards their police car and hit it with a shovel, damaging the vehicle. He then fled the area, authorities said.

The officers took off after Richardson and caught up to him several blocks away. One officer suffered a minor wrist injury while trying to place Richardson under arrest, authorities said.

The victim told officers that Richardson struck him with the shovel, then took his backpack and walked away as he lay on the ground. He declined medical treatment, police said.

Hoboken police transported Richardson to the Hudson County Correctional Facility and charged him with Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Weapon, Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purpose, Resisting Arrest and Criminal Mischief.

GOLF CLUB VS. CARS

Earlier that day around 4 p.m., Hoboken police were also dispatched to the area of 14th and Garden streets after receiving a report about a man “carrying a golf club and was swinging it wildly, causing damage to several parked vehicles in the area.”

On arrival, with the help of a passerby, they found James Murray, 46, of Hoboken. Officers then took the club away from him. The officers noted that “several” cars in the area were damaged, police said.

Murray allegedly put up “resistance” and pushed an officer as he attempted to handcuff him, police said.

“Due to [Murray’s] intoxication, he was then transported to Hoboken University Medical Center where he was left under the hospital’s care,” police said.

Authorities charged Murray with Aggravated Assault, Resisting Arrest and Criminal Mischief. A summons complaint was prepared for the charges and he was given a court date for his appearance.

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File Photo: Shutterstock (not the golf club in the above article)