An off-duty Hoboken police officer stopped a burglar who shoved a woman to the ground as he was fleeing from a building he broke in to, authorities said.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Tony Watson, 55, of Hoboken, was charged with burglary, possession of burglary tools, and simple assault, according to Police Det. Sgt. Jonathan Mecka.
On Saturday evening at about 6:45 p.m., Hoboken Police Det. Sgt. Dennis Figueroa was off-duty in the area of 6th Street and Willow Avenue. At this time, he observed a woman screaming for help while chasing a man down the street.
As the man approached Figueroa, he identified himself as a police officer and ordered the him to stop. The man, later identified as Watson, followed his command and stopped.
From there, additional police personnel arrived on scene and an investigation commenced.
As a result, Watson was charged with the aforementioned three offenses, with the simple assault charge stemming from the woman observing Watson in the building and getting pushed to the ground after trying to stop him, police said.
After he was processed, Watson was transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility.