Hoboken Police Charge Man, Woman In Pepper-Spray Mugging

HOBOKEN, NJ — After asking the public for help to solve a mugging on Jan. 15, police announced Monday that they had arrested a young woman and man from Plainfield, NJ in connection with the crime.

On the night of Jan. 15, a woman told police that she was walking on Bloomfield Street between 12th and 13th streets in Hoboken when two men pepper-sprayed her and stole her backpack.

Monday, police said they had arrested Malachi Belton, 19, a man, and Ajaras Clarke, 20, a woman, in connection with the crime. Both live in Plainfield.

Police charged Clarke with robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery. They charged Belton with robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, and endangering an injured victim.

Police said that on the night of Jan. 15, around 9:06 p.m., officers James Barbro and Nicklas Valerius responded to a reported robbery. They found the victim bleeding from her head. She was taken to Hoboken University Medical Center, treated, and released.

Police said that investigators learned that the perpetrators fled west and hopped into a white Nissan Sentra, which was running, to make a getaway.

Police said they believe that Clarke allegedly drove the car.

The two suspects were arrested in Plainfield. A police spokesman said a third person was involved and police are still investigating.

Involved in the investigation were: Det./Sgt. Josue Velez, Officer David DiMartino, Det. Michael Miranda, and Det. Vito Gigante, assisted by: Det./Sgt. Willie Collins, Det./Sgt. Jonathan Mecka, Det. Christine Collins, Officer Ryan Houghton, Officer Bret Globke, Officer Edward Lepre, Det. Luis Rodriguez, Det. A. Colon, Det. Michael Losurdo, Det. John Quinones, Det. Paul Quinn, Officer Conor Milne, and Officer Fabian Quinones, and Det. Mario Novo.

Both Belton and Clarke have been taken to the Hudson County Jail.