3-Day Armed Robbery Spree Under Investigation In Somerset County

FRANKLIN, NJ — Three armed robberies involving a handgun and stolen cash at multiple businesses in Franklin have prompted an investigation by the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office and Franklin Township.

The robberies all happened over the course of five days — Aug. 6, Aug. 9, and Aug. 10 — in Franklin Township, said Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald.

Aug. 6 Robbery

On Aug. 6 at about 5:14 a.m., Franklin Township Police went to a hotel located on Cottontail Lane for a panic alarm.

Officers found a man who said that while he was working at the hotel a black man wearing a hooded sweatshirt and a white face covering came towards him holding a black handgun and demanding that he lay on the floor, said McDonald.

The suspect demanded money from the cash register. An undisclosed amount of cash was taken as well as the victim’s cell phone, said McDonald.

Aug. 9 Robbery

On Aug. 9 at around 12:23 a.m., a 911 call reported an armed robbery at a convenience store in the area of Hamilton Street.

Franklin Officers spoke to the victim who said a black man in his late teens or early 20’s
entered the store and showed a handgun demanding money, said McDonald.

The victim said he was able to distract the man and knock down the cash drawer preventing him from grabbing any money. The suspect left the store without getting any money or items from the store, said McDonald.

Aug. 10 Robbery

On Aug. 10 at around 12:48 a.m., a 911 call reported an armed robbery at a gas station in the area of Franklin Blvd.

Officers found a man who said that two people described as black men in their late teens entered the store. The first suspect is described as about 5-foot 7-inches tall, thin build wearing a hoodie and a white mask with a black handgun and pointed it at the victim, said McDonald.

The victim was ordered to open the cash drawer while the second suspect described as about 5-foot 5-inches tall with a heavier build wearing all black and a face mask reached into the drawer and took an undisclosed amount of cash.

Both suspects then fled the area.

Detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Franklin Township Police Department are investigating all three armed robberies to determine if the cases are related.

Anyone with information relating to the armed robberies is asked to contact the Somerset County
Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Franklin Township Police Department at 732-873-5533 or via the STOPit app.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

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