PHILLIPSBURG, N.J. (Warren County) — Two men were arrested Sunday afternoon after police responded to reports of shots fired in Phillipsburg, according to the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office.
No injuries were reported after officers were called around 1:40 p.m. to the area of 3000 Rand Boulevard, according to the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office. Police said a suspect vehicle fled the scene but was soon stopped by Lopatcong Township officers.
The occupants, 23-year-old Joshua Makuta of Allentown, Pa., and 20-year-old Jorel Rivera of Catasauqua, Pa., were arrested and charged with multiple firearms offenses, prosecutors said.
Makuta was charged with second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun without a permit, fourth-degree possession of hollow nose bullets, and fourth-degree possession of a large-capacity magazine. He was released from the Warren County Correctional Center under pretrial monitoring and non-monetary conditions.
Rivera was charged with second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun without a permit and second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
Second-degree crimes in New Jersey carry a potential sentence of up to 10 years in state prison, while fourth-degree crimes carry a maximum penalty of 18 months.
The investigation is ongoing and was led by the Phillipsburg Police Department with assistance from the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office and police in Lopatcong, Greenwich and Pohatcong townships.
