Repeat DWI Offender Arrested After Stealing Flowers for his Girlfriend in Hoboken, NJ

Future DWI Arrest

On October 8, 2023 around 9:55 PM, Sergeant Francis McCourt with the Hoboken Police Department arrived at Natural Plus on 97 Washington Street in response to a reported shoplifting. Upon arrival, he spoke with a store employee, who informed him that someone took 2 bouquets of flowers that were outside and walked away, before returning to the store in an attempt to allegedly take more. Witnesses told him that there was an apparent physical altercation following this attempted theft, and then made contact with the suspect. The suspect was determined to be 23-year-old Raffaelle Spadavecchia.

The suspect was already known to the Hoboken Police Department based on prior interactions. Officers Bates and Mooreman arrived on scene shortly afterwards, and Officer Bates interviewed Raffaelle as Sergeant McCourt went inside the store to talk to the employees. Raffaelle told the officer that he wanted to buy flowers for his girlfriend, and he attempted to make excuses by insisting that he planned to eventually pay for the flowers. Once Sergeant McCourt confirmed that the store employees wanted to sign a complaint, Raffaelle was placed under arrest for allegedly shoplifting.

Raffaelle was handcuffed, searched, and placed in the patrol car. Sergeant McCourt transported him to the Hoboken Police Department for further processing. At the police station, Raffaelle was processed and charged with shoplifting under 2C:20-11 and simple assault under 2C:12-1a. After he was processed, Raffaelle was released pending his court appearance.

Records indicate that Raffaelle had previously been arrested for DWI on October 5, 2023. He was later arrested for DWI in Hoboken on February 17, 2024 and arrested again on April 10, 2024.

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