Warren County woman arrested after allegedly threatening victim with knife, demanding money

LOPATCONG TOWNSHIP, NJ (Warren County) – A Warren County woman was jailed after allegedly threatening a victim with a knife and demanding money, according to the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office.

On Sunday, July 17, police responded to an apartment in Lopatcong Township for a report of a possible armed robbery, authorities said.

The victim reported that Melissa Petersen, 35, of Phillipsburg threatened them with a large kitchen knife and demanded that they send her money through a mobile payment application. After the victim sent Petersen the money, she left the apartment, prosecutor’s office said.

An arrest warrant was issued for Petersen after she was unable to be located, authorities said.

On Friday, July 22, Petersen turned herself in at the Lopatcong Township Police Department and was charged with first-degree robbery, and third-degree possession of weapon for an unlawful purpose.

Petersen was then lodged in the Warren County Correctional Center pending a detention hearing.