MARLBORO — Three people were arrested after a stakeout of a township home by police.
On Dec. 4, police charged John Paul Arcate, 19, of Middletown, and two 17-year-old males from Marlboro with strong-armed robbery and making terroristic threats.
Police said that at about 3:40 p.m. the three individuals forcibly entered a Rene Drive home and stole items from the house. According to a police press release, "while ransacking a bedroom, they discovered a 17-year-old resident, who they knew, hiding in the closet."
Police said the intruders threatened the young man’s life if he were to contact the police.
"The young man didn’t know what to do," said Capt. Darryl Conover.
After the individuals left the home, the youth immediately called his mother. Police were contacted shortly thereafter.
While Patrolman Pete Pezzullo and Detective Fred Reck were investigating the scene, the individuals called the house and told the victim they were coming back. At that point they also made a threatening statement to the teen-ager, Conover said.
The police officers parked their cruiser inside the garage and awaited the return of the three suspects. Upon their return they were apprehended without incident.
A stereo, compact discs and a watch taken from the home were found in trunk of the suspects’ car, according to police, who said most of the damage was in the ransacked room of the victim. The juveniles were released to their parents, with their case forwarded to juvenile court.
Arcate was arraigned at 5 p.m. in Marlboro municipal court. He was released on his own recognizance in lieu of $2,500 bail. The case has been forwarded to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.