Prosecutor: Man Indicted for Two Home Invasions, Aggravated Sex Assaults

A 34-year-old Monmouth County man has been indicted on 13 counts of robbery, burglary, sexual assault, weapons and terroristic threats charges stemming from two September home invasions, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey announced.

On Nov. 30, a Monmouth County Grand Jury indicted Shawn Connolly, 34, in relation to the home invasions in Asbury Park, where he also lives. Connolly was indicted on: two counts of first-degree armed robbery, two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, two counts of second- degree burglary, two counts of third-degree terroristic threats, three counts of third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and two counts of fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.

The case background …

On Sept. 14 at 5:27 a.m., members of the Asbury Park Police Department responded to a residence in the city in response to an open 911 line. Upon arrival, Asbury Park police learned that the victims suddenly awoke to Connolly in their home with a knife in his hand threatening to harm them.

During the course of the robbery, one of the victims was sexually assaulted by Connolly. The Asbury Park Police Department found Connolly still at the scene when they arrived and he was arrested.

While the investigation was still underway, the Asbury Park Police Department received another report from an additional victim that her home had been broken into earlier that same morning at roughly 2:30 a.m. This victim reported that she awoke to a man threatening her with a knife. Connolly was identified as the suspect in this home invasion as well.

If convicted, the defendant will face up to 20 years in state prison on each count of armed robbery as well as the aggravated sexual assault, up to 10 years state prison on each count of burglary, up to five years in state prison for each count of terroristic threats and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and up to 18 months in state prison for each count of unlawful possession of a weapon. He would also be subject to parole supervision for life and would be required to register under Megan’s Law.

The defendant remains incarcerated.

— Edited press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office