Prosecutor: Virginia Pair Arrested, Charged in September Home Invasion

Two Virginia residents have been arrested and charged with conspiring to orchestrate a September armed home invasion and robbery, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Thursday.

Acori Knox, 21, of Hampton, VA, and Lauren McNeil, 24, of Newport News, VA have each been charged with second-degree conspiracy to commit burglary, second-degree conspiracy to commit robbery, and second-degree attempted burglary. Knox has also been separately charged with first-degree attempted robbery, second-degree eluding police, and three second-degree weapons offenses.

“This case has been marked by consistently stellar investigative work throughout, from a swift initial response that very well may have prevented a far worse outcome all the way through the identification of these suspects and their arrests yesterday,” Acting Prosecutor Santiago said. “It’s also a prime example of how powerfully effective collaborative efforts involving multiple agencies can be, all in an overarching effort to ensure that public safety is maintained throughout our communities.”

The joint investigation by the MCPO Major Crimes Bureau and the Marlboro Township Police Department revealed the following about the case:

Shortly after 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24, Marlboro police responded to a residential neighborhood on a report of an attempted home invasion. There, they found that an adult male suspect, later identified as Knox, had just left the scene in a dark-colored Cadillac sedan with Virginia license plates.

Minutes earlier, he had attempted to enter the home through a rear patio door while brandishing an AK-47-style rifle. A patrolman found the vehicle and initiated a pursuit, but soon thereafter broke it off due to excessive speed and the associated risk to public safety.

McNeil was one of several present as a guest at the home at the time; and, it was revealed that she and her boyfriend, Knox, had planned the home invasion via text messages ahead of time. The plan was to restrain the homeowner while robbing him of cash and personal effects, according to the investigation.

Both defendants were taken into custody without incident on Wednesday in Newport News, VA. They now await extradition proceedings and an initial appearance and detention hearing to take place in Monmouth County Superior Court.

Anyone with information about this matter is still being asked to contact MCPO Detective Aaron Shaw at 800-533-7443 or Marlboro Township Police Department Detective Edward Ungrady at 732-536-0100.

Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about this or any crime can submit a tip to Monmouth County Crime Stoppers by calling their confidential telephone tip-line at 1-800-671-4400; by downloading and using the free P3 Tips mobile app (available on iOS and Android at https://www.p3tips.com/1182), by calling 800-671-4400, or by going to the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com.

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