Crime & Safety

Man, 81, Assaulted Over 'Make America Great Again' Hat: SCPO

The 81-year-old Franklin Township man alleges he was confronted about the red "Make America Great Again" hat he was wearing.

A Romney supporter listens to a speaker as he wears a 'Make America Great Again' hat at the Mitt Romney election party.
A Romney supporter listens to a speaker as he wears a 'Make America Great Again' hat at the Mitt Romney election party. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images)

FRANKLIN, NJ — Authorities are investigating the assault of an 81-year-old Franklin Township man for wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson announced.

The township resident was shopping at an Elizabeth Avenue supermarket on Monday, Feb. 25 at about 3:24 p.m. when he was reportedly assaulted, Robertson said.

The man alleges he was confronted about the red "Make America Great Again" hat he was wearing. The slogan was coined by President Donald Trump during his presidential campaign.

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The victim sustained minor injuries from the assault and declined medical attention, according to the report.

Detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Franklin Township Police Department are actively investigating the incident.

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Anyone with information is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100, or the Franklin Township Police Department at 732-873-5533 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477) or online at www.888577tips.org or at www.scpo.net and click on either “Crime Stoppers” or “TIPS HOTLINE”. All anonymous Crime Stopper tips will be kept
confidential.

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