Scotch Plains Man Shot in Home During Armed Robbery

Alquan Green, 18, and Charles Darby, 18, both of Plainfield, have been arrested in connection with an armed robbery and aggravated assault to Scotch Plains man that occurred at approximately 10 a.m. on Friday, February 3 in his home on Emil Place in Scotch Plains.

The victim, a 19-year-old male stated that he was home with a relative when two men knocked on the back door. After opening the door, the two suspects gained entry and demanded that the victim surrender his phone, while ransacking part of the residence and attempting to remove other electronic devices.

One of the suspects, produced handgun, shot the victim once in the knee and fled the scene with the other suspect. The suspects made away with an iPhone valued at $200. Fanwood Rescue Squad responded to the scene. The victim was taken to Overlook Hospital where he was treated and released.

Captain Brian Donnelly of the stated that the victim did not know, nor is he linked to his assailants and while the incident is still under investigation, it does not appear to be linked to any other crimes in the community.

“The victim did not struggle, we have no idea why he was shot,” Donnelly stated. “He is in a lot of pain, but the doctors expect that he will make a full recovery.”

The Scotch Plains Detective Bureau also responded to the scene immediately following the robbery. After interviewing several people and collecting evidence, arrest warrants were issued for Green and Darby.

Scotch Plains Detectives tracked down the suspects by canvasing the area of surrounding the scene. Ultimately, it was a resident tip that led Scotch Plains and Police to track down the getaway vehicle driven by the suspects that lead to the arrest.

Green was arrested at 6:30 p.m., on February 5, in Plainfield. He was transported to Scotch Plains where he was processed and charged with Robbery in the first degree, Aggravated Assault in the Second degree and multiple weapons offenses.  He was processed and then transported to the Union County jail in lieu of bail that was set by the Scotch Plains Municipal Court Judge at $140,000.  Mr. Green is scheduled to appear in the Union County Superior Court on February 10, 2012.

Charles Darby was arrested at 12:30 a.m., on February 7, in Plainfield. He was transported to Scotch Plains where he was processed and charged with Robbery in the first degree and multiple weapons offenses. He was processed and then transported to the Union County jail in lieu of bail set by the Scotch Plains Municipal Court Judge at $100,000.  Mr. Darby is also scheduled to appear in the Union County Superior Court on February 10, 2012.

“You know your neighborhood best. It was through keen observances by residents that we tracked these suspects down. If you see something suspicious, give us a call. We follow up on every report,” Donnelly stated.