Two Hoboken Men Arrested After Shots Fired Near Public Housing

HOBOKEN, NJ — Two men were arrested in Hoboken this week for alleged gun possession after shots were fired in the area of the housing projects.

Police arrested Thomas Bates, 32, on Monday, and Malik High, 31, on Tuesday. Both men live in Hoboken, according to police.

The police gave this account:

At about 10:32 p.m. on Monday, police were dispatched on a reported gunshot in the area of Fifth and Jackson streets. Officer Tyrone Huggins and Officer Michael Aviles were in the area investigating the call when they observed a male identified as Thomas Bates.

According to police, Bates was observed in the area of 501 Marshall Drive pacing back and forth near a group. Then, he allegedly pulled an object identified as a handgun out of his pocket.

Officer Huggins and Officer Aviles approached Bates and shouted commands. Bates allegedly failed to comply with their orders and allegedly ran from the officers, who chased him on foot.

Bates fell to the ground. According to police, the gun discharged a single round. No one was hit.

Huggins and Aviles placed Bates under arrest and secured the handgun.

Bates was transported to the hospital, then to Hoboken Police headquarters. He was charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, possession of weapon for unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of weapon, and certain person not to have weapon. He was transported to the Hudson County Jail.

Det. Sgt. William Collins, Detective Adam Colon, and Detective John Quinones were assigned to investigate the incident. In doing so, they heard about a second male allegedly involved in a firearms incident Monday.

The police were told that on Monday, the second male was observed in front of 501 Marshall Drive. That man allegedly aimed a gun straight up into the air and discharged a single round. This was the round that first initiated the call to the police. A spent casing was later found by Sgt. Collins in the area.

Sgt. David Olivera located Malik High, a suspect, in the area of Third and Jackson streets Tuesday. Sgt. Olivera notified headquarters, and Officer Frank Francolino and Officer Anthony Rutkowski responded as backup. They apprehended High without incident.

High was transported to police headquarters and charged with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, and certain person not to have a weapon. High was then transported to Hudson County Jail.