Keyport Woman, Metuchen Man Robbed in Marlboro, Matawan: Police

Matawan, NJ - A Keyport woman and a Metuchen man have been charged with two armed robberies and more, including a knifepoint robbery at the Matawan Pharmacy last week, and a home break-in in Marlboro Township.

Matawan Pharmacy thanked the police for the arrest in a Facebook post Sunday, writing: “Thank you Matawan borough police and Marlboro township police for your help in apprehending the people who have victimized us. We can at least start to have some peace.”

Alyssa Plath, 23, of Keyport, and Phillip Kellerman, 27, of Metuchen, were arrested on Wednesday, Jan. 20, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Chris Gramiccioni said.

Crime spree starts Jan. 13, police say

The charges are a result of a crime spree the duo started on Jan. 13 in Matawan and Marlboro Township, police said.

Matawan police responded to an alarm activation at home in town around 12:05 p.m. on Jan. 13. Upon arrival, police found the home had been broken into while no one was home, and jewelry was stolen.

Six days later, on Jan. 19, in Marlboro Township, a second home was entered before 1:13 p.m. A 71-year-old woman was home at the time, who called 911 and reported an individual entered the home armed with a knife. The woman was physically unharmed, but the intruder left with an engagement ring.

The following day, Jan. 20, Matawan police responded to the Matawan Pharmacy located on Route 34 on a report of an armed robbery.

Employees reported an individual, covering his face, entered the store armed with a knife demanding Xanax and money. After receiving the drugs and cash he fled the scene.

A joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Matawan Police Department and Marlboro Police Department determined the vehicle used in the Matawan Pharmacy robbery belonged to Plath, they said.

The vehicle was quickly located, occupied by Plath and Kellerman, and proceeds from all three incidents were recovered. The two were arrested that day.