Man Forced Into Franklin Hotel Room, Threatened With Gun: Police

FRANKLIN, NJ — Two men were charged after police say they forced a Franklin Township man into a hotel room, threatened him with a gun and robbed him, according to Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson.

Khrystian Trahan, 24, of Crowley, Louisiana and Domenic Murphy, 19 of Jacksonville, Florida were both later found in Alabama and extricated back to New Jersey where they were charged in connection with the robbery, said Robertson.

On July 12 at around 5:41 a.m., a Franklin Township man said two men, later identified as Trahan and Murphy, forced him inside a hotel room located on World's Fair Drive, said Robertson.

The victim said he knew Trahan and Murphy. Once in the room, one of the men placed an object to the victim's head and told him not to move because he had a gun, said Robertson.

Trahan and Murphy then stole $450 in cash, a Bluetooth speaker and some alcohol before fleeing the area, said Robertson.

On July 21, Trahan was apprehended without incident in Tallassee, Alabama by members of the Tallassee Police Department. He was charged with first-degree robbery, second-degree possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose and second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun.

On July 21, Murphy was apprehended without incident in Montgomery, Alabama by members of the Montgomery Police Department. He was charged with first-degree robbery, second-degree possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose and second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun.

On July 29, Trahan and Murphy were extradited from Alabama to New Jersey and are currently lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Anyone with information relating to the robbery 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.

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

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