Hoboken man charged with bias intimidation and robbery of cabbie
28 February 2013
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By Michaelangelo Conte/The Jersey Journal
Bail was set at $20,000 cash or bond yesterday for a Hoboken man charged with bias intimidation and robbery in an incident in which he allegedly called a cabbie a terrorist and knocked off his turban.
Thomas A. Arevalo, 29, of Church Towers, is also charged with harassment in the incident outside Church Towers on Dec. 15 at 12:54 p.m.
Arevalo’s lawyer, John McGovern of Newark, said the allegations are untrue.
The victim told police that during the trip to Church Towers, Arevalo repeatedly asked him if he was Muslim and he said he was not, but finally said he was a Muslim to end the conversation, the report says. That’s when Arevalo said “You’re a f– terrorist,” the report says.
At Church Towers, the cabbie told Arevalo the fare, which originated in New York, was $73 and Arevalo handed him a crumpled ball of money containing $25, the report says. The driver got out to stop Arevalo from entering the building and told police Arevalo knocked off his turban and repeatedly punched him, cutting his nose, the report says.
McGovern said his client and a woman, as well as two other fares, took the cab from New York and agreed to pay a total of $60, with Arevalo and his friend paying a $20 share.
McGovern said that after dropping off the two other passengers, the cabbie demanded $73 from Arevalo, adding that Arevalo gave him $25. and they scuffled.
“Two months later (the cabbie) went to police,” McGovern said. “He is looking for money and I think it’s outrageous that Hoboken police would entertain the matter without hearing both sides of the story.”
Original post: Hoboken man charged with bias intimidation and robbery of cabbie
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