19-year-old Jersey City man makes first court appearance on allegations he fired handgun, led police chase, officials said

Published: Monday, October 03, 2011, 9:17 PM Updated: Monday, October 03, 2011, 9:17 PM
By Kate Kowsh/The Jersey Journal


Antonio Sousa makes his first appearance yesterday at Central Judicial Processing court in Jersey City via videolink from Hudson County jail in Kearny.

A 19-year-old Jersey City man made his first court appearance today on allegations he fired a handgun at a car in the Heights Friday and led police on a chase ending with his arrest in Hoboken, officials said.

When Antonio Sousa of Virginia Avenue, aka "Antonio Sosa" appeared in Central Judicial Processing court in Jersey City, the judge said he could not set bail because Sousa has unrelated charges pending in Hudson County Superior Court.

Friday's incident began just before 1 p.m. on Palisade Avenue near Fleet Street when police got a report of shots being fired and found shell casings and bullet fragments on cars there, reports said.

The cops chased several people fleeing into Hoboken but they split up, leading to an extensive search including evacuation of Hoboken Business Center, 50 Harrison St, officials said. Eventually Sousa and a 16-year-old North Bergen boy were arrested nearby, officials said

Police found a 21-inch long nose revolver in Hoboken after chasing suspects in relation to a Jersey City shooting on Friday, Sept. 30, 2011. Here, an officer carries the found handgun.

Sousa is charged with criminal mischief for allegedly firing at the car trunk, obstructing a government function for allegedly ignoring police orders to stop, and conspiracy, the complaint says. He is also charged with weapons offenses related to a .22 caliber Smith and Wesson police said was tucked into his waistband, the complaint said.

Finally, Sousa was charged with possession of marijuana after officers found a bag of suspected pot in his pants pocket following his arrest, the complaint says.

Sousa was already out on a $50,000 bail and pending sentencing on a theft charge filed in Union City where he formerly resided, officials said. Earlier this year he was charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, also in Union City, officials said.

CJP Judge Richard Nieto said Sousa's ball will be set by a Superior Court judge. Sousa appeared via video link from Hudson County jail in Kearny.

Foot chase by police nabs two suspects in shooting incident, more sought
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Saturday, October 01, 2011, 10:18 AM
By Summer Dawn Hortillosa / The Jersey Journal

Police found a 21-inch long nose revolver in Hoboken after chasing suspects in relation to a Jersey City shooting on Friday, Sept. 30, 2011. Here, an officer carries the found handgun. -- Joe Shine/For The Jersey Journal

Police find handgun in Hoboken after Jersey City shooting gallery (4 photos)

A report of shots fired in Jersey City led to a wild police foot chase in Hoboken and the evacuation of the Hoboken Business Center while police searched it for suspects.
Two suspects were arrested and at least two more are still being sought, according to Jersey City Police Lt. Edgar Martinez.

The incident began shortly before 1 p.m. yesterday on Palisade Avenue between Fleet Street and Route 139 in Jersey City when police got a report of shots being fired.
Police found shell casings and bullet fragments on cars at the scene and saw several people fleeing into Hoboken, Martinez said.

The suspects split into several groups and police caught up with two of the suspects near the Hoboken Business Center, 50 Harrison St., Martinez said.

As police pursued them on foot, a teen identified later as Antonio Sousa, 19, of Virginia Avenue in Jersey City, took a .45 caliber handgun out of his waistband and threw it into a bush where it was later found, Martinez said.

Police caught and arrested Sousa at 1:12 p.m., Martinez said.

Cops also nabbed a second suspect with Sousa, a 16-year-old from North Bergen, whom they collared around the corner on Jackson Street, Martinez said.

Both were charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief, obstructing justice, conspiracy, weapon possession, possession of a weapon with unlawful purposes and resisting arrest, Martinez said, adding that Sousa was also charged with endangering the welfare of a child.

Police believe that two other suspects entered the Hoboken Business Center, Martinez said. Police closed the area and evacuated the tenants while they conducted a search, but no suspects were found, Martinez said.

Jersey City Police Chief Tom Comey was in command at 50 Harrison St. and Hudson County Sheriff?s Officers, NJ Transit Police and Hoboken Police were also on the scene, Martinez said.

Martinez said that there are no known injuries and that the case is under investigation. He said anyone with information should call the JCPD tips line (201) 547-JAIL.