Two Men Charged After Two Bongs Taken From Smoke Shop In Hoboken

HOBOKEN, NJ — The Hoboken police arrested two 22-year-old men shortly after midnight on Wednesday after a shoplifting incident on the city's main street. Police alleged that one of the men ran out of a smoke shop with two bongs, and that during processing at headquarters, that man became uncooperative.

Police say that Jasper Brafford, 22, of North Bergen, was charged with shoplifting, obstruction, and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer early Wednesday morning.

Daniel Recinos, 22, of Union City, was arrested and charged with shoplifting, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and drug paraphernalia.

Police say that at 11:48 p.m. on Tuesday, officers Jonathan Figueroa and James Barbro responded to a smoke shop in the middle of Washington Street, on a reported shoplifting.

According to police, as the officers responded, a description of one suspect was broadcast over the police radio. Officer Enrico Gnassi located a male matching the above description riding a bicycle eastbound on Seventh Street, toward the waterfront, away from Washington Street. Gnassi ordered the cyclist to stop several times but he continued to ride away, police say.

The cyclist then fell and Gnassi detained him. He was later identified as Brafford, police say.

Officer Brandon Fitzgibbons responded as backup and assisted Gnassi in transporting Brafford to police headquarters for processing.

Sgt. Joseph Lucignano and Officer Frank Lombardo responded to Urge Smoke Shop and met up with Figueroa and Barbro, police say.

Police say that an employee from Urge Smoke Shop said he had witnessed Brafford grab two bongs from the shelf and run out of the store. The employee attempted to stop Brafford, then witnessed Brafford trip and fall and drop the bongs, causing them to shatter, according to police.

Police said that the shop employee told them that as he tried to stop the first man, he witnessed a second male stuff packs of tobacco papers into his pocket. The employee stopped that man and got the paper back.

Recinos was arrested near the scene. He arrested, searched, and found to be in possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, police said.

Meanwhile, at headquarters, according to police, they were processing Brafford and he asked to use the bathroom.

Brafford was taken to the bathroom by Officer Marvin DeJesus, Officer Brandon Fitzgibbons, and Sgt. William Collins. While walking back to the processing room, Brafford "tensed up, started to resist officers’ control and became uncooperative," police say. This caused Sgt. William Collins to fall to the ground and "additional officers were needed to regain control of Brafford," police say.

Lt. Michael Costello and Officer Michael Aviles arrived to assist. Collins was not injured as a result of falling, but Officer Fitzgibbons reported pain to his left thumb. He was treated by an ambulance and sought no further treatment, police say. He returned to duty.

Brafford’s charges were placed on a warrant and he was transported to the Hudson County jail.

Recino's charges were placed on a summons and he was released with a court date.

Defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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