Hoboken Police Charge Man With Throwing Bodily Fluid, Shoplifting

HOBOKEN, NJ —Hoboken police charged a Newark man on Monday with throwing bodily fluid at a law enforcement officer, shoplifting, and hindering apprehension. Later, while police were in a store investigating that incident, they were informed of another shoplifting in progress, leading to the arrest of a man wanted in California, police said.

The saga began around 8:41 a.m. Monday.

Police Officer Ramon Calderon was dispatched to 101 Washington St. (Walgreens) on a report of a shoplifting. A description and direction of flight of the accused suspect was broadcast over the police radio. Officer Calderon conducted a search for the suspect before responding to Walgreens.

Calderon located and stopped a male who matched the description in the area of 77 River St, around the corner. Lt. Edmond Drishti and Sgt. David Olivera responded as backup.

The male stopped was identified as Dwayne McMillian, 50, of Newark.

McMillian was informed that he was being placed under arrest for shoplifting and asked to turn around so he could be handcuffed, according to police.

Police allege that McMillian, who had removed his facial shield, came within close distance of Officer Calderon, Lt. Drishti, and Sgt. Olivera and purposefully began coughing in their faces.

McMillian was transported to police headquarters. He was charged with throwing bodily fluid at a law enforcement officer, shoplifting, and hindering apprehension. McMillian’s charges were placed on a warrant and he was transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility.

Defendant is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Meanwhile, back at Walgreens...

Less than an hour later, another man was arrested at the same store.

Anthony Crossin, 30, from Jersey City was charged as a fugitive from justice, along with shoplifting, hindering apprehension, and possession of hypodermic syringe.

Police say that around 9:23 a.m., Officer Calderon was at Walgreens gathering information from the previous shoplifting arrest.

As he was gathering information, an employee of Walgreens alerted him of a possible shoplifting in progress.

Calderon stopped the accused suspect for investigation. He notified dispatch. Officer Anthony Olivera and Officer Frank Francolino responded as backup.

Investigation led to arresting and charging Crossin with shoplifting.

Crossin was searched and was found to be in possession of a hypodermic syringe, police said. He was transported to headquarters for processing and charged.

At headquarters, it was discovered that Crossin was wanted by Los Angeles County Sheriffs in California for robbery, according to police. There was also a warrant on him from Harrison, N.J.

All of Crossin’s charges were placed on warrants and he was transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility. Defendant is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Email caren.lissner@patch.com. To be the first to get news alerts with breaking stories in Hoboken, or to get a free local newsletter each morning, sign up for Patch breaking news alerts or daily newsletters.