Man Arrested In Gunpoint Robberies Of PlayStation 4 In Franklin

FRANKLIN, NJ — A New Brunswick man was charged for two robberies in Franklin Township after police say he stole two PlayStation 4 game consoles at gunpoint.

The first robbery was reported on June 16 at about 4:35 p.m. after an adult man and juvenile called 911 in the area of Mindy Drive in Franklin Township.

The victims told police they agreed through a web application to meet with a man, later identified as Duron Bridgers, 22, of Wright Place, New Brunswick, to exchange a PlayStation 4 gaming console, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said.

When the victims got to the exchange location they say Bridgers pointed a yellowish-colored handgun robbing them of the PlayStation 4 game console, Robertson said.

The second robbery was reported on June 18 at about 9:08 p.m. when two men called 911 in the area of Ellen Street in Franklin Township.

The victims agreed to meet Bridgers through the same web application as the June 16 robbery to exchange a PlayStation 4 gaming computer. When the victims got to the exchange location, theyy said Bridgers pointed a gun with a long extended magazine at them, Robertson said.

Bridgers robbed the victims of $300 in cash and a gold necklace that Bridgers ripped off of one of the victim's neck, Robertson said.

Detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Franklin Township Police Department conducted a joint investigation into the two robberies and identified Bridgers as the person involved.

Bridgers was taken into custody by detectives in the area of Hempstead Plaza on Route 27 in Franklin Township on June 19.

While in custody, police found a tan-colored handgun with an extended magazine and a PlayStation 4 game console inside his vehicle, Robertson said.

Bridgers was charged with two counts of first-degree robbery and two counts of second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

Bridgers was taken to the Somerset County Jail pending a bail detention hearing in this matter.

Anyone with information relating to the 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. 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). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

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