A Hoboken man described as being “off his s***” tussled with local cops, kicking officers who arrested him and attempted to place him in a patrol car, authorities said.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Pedro Soto 56, of Hoboken, was charged with burglary, aggravated assault on a police officer, resisting arrest with force, obstruction of the administration of law, possession of a controlled dangerous substance (heroin), possession of CDS (crack cocaine), failure to turn over CDS to law enforcement, according to Det. Lt. Danilo Cabrera.
Last night at about 9:24 p.m., Officers Michael Straten and Francis McCourt were approached by a citizen that there was an unknown male in the staircase of 311 Harrison Street described as being “off his shit,” police said.
Officers notified headquarters of the citizen encounter and Sgt. Nicholas Burke responded. Burke, Straten, and McCourt found Soto siting on the steps between the second and third floor.
At this time Officers Marc Lombardi and Harold Milne arrived to assist. Pedro was told to stand up and as he did, Burke observed a white wax fold believed to be heroin on the steps where the defendant was sitting, officials said.
Pedro also had both fists clenched. In one hand, he had money sticking out and unable to tell what was in the other hand. Pedro resisted as Straten and McCourt attempted to place him under arrest.
He also would not allow the officers to handcuff him and would not release what was in his hands. With the assistance of Milne and Lombardi, they were able to pry the objects out of Pedro’s hands and place him in handcuffs, police said.
While handcuffed, Pedro kicked backwards striking Milne in the shin. Burke recovered four more wax folds believed to be heroin, as well as one small clear plastic bag believed to contain crack cocaine, authorities said.
Pedro continued to resist as he was being escorted out of the building and into the police vehicle. As Pedro was being placed in the car, he started to kick at the officers, striking Straten in the thigh and McCourt in the torso, officials said.
Pedro was transported to headquarters and processed before being transported to the Hudson County Jail. None of the officers sustained any serious injuries and all immediately returned to full active duty and completed their shift, police said.
