Violent Backyard Robbery Yields $300, Leads to 3 Arrests, Police Say

Three Hopatcong men have been arrested and a fourth is wanted for the robbery and assault of a group of people last month in the backyard of one of the accused, police said.

Kyle Shalkowski, 26, has been charged with second-degree robbery, fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of an illegal weapon, third-degree terroristic threats and second-degree aggravated assault. He is at the Sussex County Jail in lieu of $85,000 bail.

John J. McKevitt, 24, was charged with second-degree robbery, third-degree terroristic threats and harassment. McKevitt is at Sussex County Jail in lieu of $75,000 bail.

Shawn Price, 19, was charged with second-degree robbery, third-degree terroristic threats and harassment. Price is also being held at the Sussex County Jail on $50,000 bail.

A fourth man, Hopatcong resident Scott August, 33, remains at-large with a warrant issued for his arrest on robbery and terroristic threats charges.

According to Lt. Thomas Kmetz, a number of victims reported filed reports at police headquarters that they had been robbed at Shalkowski's Madison Trail residence on Dec. 9. A total of $300 was taken, Kmetz said.

The victims told police that Shalkowski and three other men surrounded them in the backyard, Kmetz said. The victims said Shalkowski took their money and hit one of the victims with a metal object, cutting the person on the lip, according to Kmetz. 

As the victims moved toward their vehicle, Kmetz said the men followed, hurling insults at them. Shalkowski then pulled out a knife and tried to slash the victims' tires as they drove away, Kmetz said.

Police did not reveal the names or number of the victims to protect the investigation, which is still ongoing, Kmetz said.

Police are still looking for August, who is described as a white male, approximately 6-feet tall and 200 pounds, Kmetz said. His bail has been set at $75,000.

August was arrested last February on heroin possession and distribution charges as well as resisting arrest. August was one of 25 people arrested in October 2012 "Operation Roxicong" bust.

August was charged in a Mount Olive purse snatching last summer and allegedly attempted to swallow three folds of heroin as he was arrested on drug charges in 2011.

Anyone with information on August's whereabouts is asked to call the Hopatcong Borough Police Department at 973-398-5000.