Two Port Jervis Men Arrested after Home Invasion

Police say two Port Jervis men invaded a home, endangered the occupant with a knife, and sprayed pepper spray.

James Degroat, 27, and 32-year-old Steven Conklin, both of Port Jervis were charged with 1st-degree burglary, a felony, 2nd-degree menacing, and 4th-degree criminal mischief, misdemeanors.

Degroat was also charged with 3rd-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a felony, and possession of noxious material, a misdemeanor.

Police say Degroat and Conklin went to an apartment with the intent to confront the occupant over an ongoing dispute. The two subjects allegedly kicked in the apartment door and menaced the occupant with a switchblade knife and deployed pepper spray towards the occupant in an attempt to engage him in a physical altercation.

Conklin and Degraot fled the scene and were later apprehended by police.

Both were arraigned in Port Jervis City Court and remanded to the custody of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office on the following bail amounts: Conklin $5,000 cash bail and Degroat on $10,000 cash bail.