Man Had Loaded Semiautomatic Gun In Hoboken Apartment: Police

HOBOKEN, NJ — Three men were arrested last month after police responded to a dispute inside a Hoboken apartment and found a loaded semiautomatic gun, officials said.

Police headed to the 200 block of Harrison Street around 11:30 p.m. on March 24 after someone told police that one of the parties in the dispute was brandishing a handgun, said a public safety spokeswoman.

Inside, police found three men, a Ruger handgun, and quantities of crack cocaine and heroin, police said.

On Thursday, they announced that three Hoboken men had been arrested:

• Tahjmir Mitchell, 21
• Justin Villafane, 21
• Thomas Bates, 38

Police said that when officers arrived that night, they found Bates with the handgun.

Mitchell was in possession of 24 bags of crack cocaine, six wax folds of heroin, and drug paraphernalia, they said.

Villafane had 20 wax folds of suspected heroin.

Bates was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, possession of prohibited ammunition, resisting arrest, and obstruction, police said.

Mitchell and Villafane were charged with multiple drug offenses, including possession with intent to distribute.

“Our officers responded quickly and professionally to a potentially dangerous situation,” said Police Chief Steven Aguiar. “Through their efforts and strong investigative work, they were able to remove illegal drugs and a firearm from our streets."

“This incident is a stark reminder of the dangers illegal firearms pose to our community," said Mayor Emily Jabbour. "It also underscores the risks associated with illegal drugs."

Anyone witnessing a crime can call the Hoboken Police Department at (201) 420-2100.