Teen who pulled knife on Jersey City man is seized after chase into Union City, cops say

Friday, February 05, 2010
By GEM JEFFERSON
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

A Jersey City Heights man was confronted at knifepoint by a 16-year-old boy Wednesday night who demanded that the man buy marijuana from him with a $20 bill the victim had pulled out of his pocket moments before, reports said.

The victim, 33, told police he had left his Summit Avenue home at about 7:30 p.m. when he checked his pockets for $20. Police said he pulled the bill out of his pocket and spotted a teenager eyeing the money.

The teen demanded that the victim buy the marijuana from him with the money in his hand. Police said the victim told the teen to seek professional help.

Police said the teen then drew the knife and reached for the money but the victim pushed him away and yelled that he would call police.

The teen spit at the victim, and then ran north on Summit with the victim in pursuit, police said.

The teen entered K&S Superstore on Summit Avenue in Union City. It was there that the victim borrowed another customer's phone and called police, reports said.

Union City police arrested the suspect and found the knife, but found no drugs in his possession, reports said. The teen was sent to the Youth House in Secaucus.