Two men arrested in Phillipsburg after gunfire strikes occupied home; stolen vehicle, handgun recovered
PHILLIPSBURG, N.J. (Warren County) — Two men have been arrested and charged in connection with a shooting that struck an occupied home in Phillipsburg early Monday morning, according to the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office.
Dorien E. Roberts, 18, of Port Murray, and Alfatir T. Kelly, 26, of Phillipsburg, were taken into custody following an investigation into a shots-fired incident on the 90th block of Mercer Street around 1:50 a.m. on June 30. The Phillipsburg Police Department responded to the area after receiving a ShotSpotter alert. Upon arrival, officers did not locate any victims, but recovered multiple bullet casings, a stolen vehicle from Pennsylvania, and a handgun at the scene.
Investigators determined that multiple suspects had fled the area on foot before police arrived. Authorities also confirmed that a residence on Mercer Street was struck by gunfire nine times while it was occupied by three individuals. No injuries were reported.
Roberts and Kelly were charged on complaint warrants with second-degree conspiracy to possess a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree conspiracy to unlawfully possess a handgun, third-degree conspiracy to commit criminal mischief, and three counts of third-degree conspiracy to commit aggravated assault.
Both men are being held at the Warren County Correctional Center. A pretrial detention hearing for both defendants is scheduled for next week.
Second-degree crimes in New Jersey carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison, while third-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of five years.
The investigation was conducted by the Phillipsburg Police Department and the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office, with assistance from the Lopatcong Township, Greenwich Township, and Pohatcong Township police departments, as well as the New Jersey State Police.
