A Hoboken e-bike rider, who is a registered sex offender, is facing a a slew of crimes – including assaulting police officers – after he gave a fake name and attempted to flee after being caught riding on the sidewalk.
On September 16th, at approximately 1:15 p.m., Police Officer Arturo Gonzalez was at
the intersection of Washington and Third Streets when he observed a man riding an e-bike on the sidewalk at a high rate of speed and stopped him, according to the Hoboken Police Department’s blotter.
While the officer was gathering information to issue a ticket, the man gave a fake name, and then attempted to flee on the e-bike. When the officer grabbed the e-bike, the rider jumped off and ran.
Police Officer Joseph Lupo and Gonzalez ran after him and ordered him to stop multiple times. Sgt. Dennis Figueroa, Police Officers Jessica Arebalo, Roberto Cuevas, and Jonathan Figueroa and Det. Michael Losurdo all arrived on the scene to assist.
The man continued to run until he got to approximately the 200 block of Sinatra Drive, jumped over a fence, and threatened to jump into the Hudson River.
During the foot chase, and while attempting to keep the man from entering the river, multiple officers suffered minor injuries.
The individual, later identified as Corey Lamont Cooke, 46, of Jersey City, was
safely placed under arrest. It was discovered he had warrants out of Jersey City for failing to comply with sex offender registration and notification laws, as well as for simple assault.
He was further charged with obstructing the administration of law, three counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest, and hindering apprehension.
He also received a summons for operating an electric bicycle on a public sidewalk.
Cooke was taken to an area hospital for a pre-existing condition and once treated, was transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility.
The Hoboken City Council approved an e-bike delivery licensing ordinance, sponsored by 1st Ward Councilman Paul Presinzano and co-sponsored by 3rd Ward Councilman Mike Russo and 4th Ward Councilman Ruben Ramos, back in March, as HCV first reported.
The ordinance mandates that deliveristas register with the city for $5 a year and receive a fluorescent vest with an ID number and also occasionally take tests about traffic safety rules.
The local legislation also calls for $50 fine for each infraction, at the discretion of the Hoboken Police Department, Parking Utility, and/or the Transportation and Parking Department. The measure took effect on June 1st.
Furthermore, police began stepping up enforcement in July and Presinzano and Mayor Ravi Bhalla will participate in a e-delivery registration and vest distribution event this evening.