The charges stem from several robberies that occurred in January, including a pharmacy in Matawan in which Plath and Kellerman allegedly demanded employees give them prescription pills and cash. Watch video
Police in Matawan and Marlboro responded to several robberies in the span of a two weeks in January. Two people were charged in connection with those robberies last week. (File photo) FREEHOLD -- Authorities charged two individuals last week in connection with a string of robberies in Marlboro and Matawan.
Alyssa M. Plath, 23, of Keyport, and Phillip W. Kellerman, 27, of Metuchen, were arrested Wednesday and each charged with armed robbery, burglary, theft and weapons offenses, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced Friday.
The charges stem from several robberies that occurred in January, including a pharmacy in Matawan in which Plath and Kellerman allegedly demanded employees give them prescription pills and cash.
The first incident happened on Jan. 13, when police say jewelry was stolen from an unoccupied residence in Matawan.
About a week later, on Jan. 19, a 71-year-old woman reported to police that she was robbed at knifepoint inside her home in Marlboro. Gramiccioni said the woman was unharmed but the robber stole an engagement ring.
Matawan police responded on Jan. 20 to the Matawan Pharmacy on Route 34 for a report of an armed robbery. Police learned that a person whose face was covered entered the store brandishing a knife and demanded the employees hand over Xanax, an anti-anxiety medication, and money, Gramiccioni said.
Through a joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office and the Matawan and Marlboro police departments, authorities were able to identify Plath's vehicle as the get-away car in the pharmacy robbery.
When police tracked down the vehicle, Path and Kellerman were inside it, Gramiccioni said. Also inside the vehicle were the stolen items from all three robberies, the prosecutor added.
Path and Kellerman are being held at the Monmouth County jail. Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Linda Grasso Jones set bail at $615,000 with no 10-percent option.
Path and Kellerman are facing a maximum sentence of 20 years in state prison.
Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.