Somerset County Man Arrested For Burglary, Armed Robbery

A 31-year-old Franklin man was arrested on Tuesday for his involvement in a home burglary and two armed robberies in town.

According to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office:

Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano and Franklin Township Chief of Police Lawrence W. Roberts announce the arrest of Arismendi Daniel Frias, age 31, of Hempstead Drive, Franklin Township, N.J.

Prosecutor Soriano states that on August 11, 2014 at 11:54 a.m., Franklin Township Police responded to an activated burglary alarm at a Clover Hill Drive residence. Responding officers discovered a damaged rear window and determined that it was the point of entry used by the suspect.

The victim reported that several computers and watches were taken from the residence. The residence, equipped with interior and exterior surveillance cameras captured the actions of the suspect and the clothing that he was wearing.

On August 13, 2014 at 10:13 a.m. Franklin Township Police responded to a reported armed robbery at a Route 27 dry cleaning business. The victim reported that the suspect entered through an open backdoor and threatened him while brandishing a knife. The suspect fled the scene after taking approximately $100 from the victim.

On August 26, 2014 at 10:10 a.m. the Franklin Township Police responded to a reported armed robbery at a Route 27 convenience store. The victim stated the suspect had come into the store and then left without purchasing anything.

Store video surveillance footage showed that the suspect returned wearing a hooded sweatshirt and brandishing a knife. The suspect fled prior to the arrival of patrol officers and detectives.

The investigation conducted by Franklin Township Detectives identified Arismendi Daniel Frias as a suspect in all three crimes. On August 26, 2014, defendant Frias gave detectives voluntary consent to search his residence.

During the search, detectives located proceeds from the burglary on Clover Hill Drive as well as clothing matching that of the suspect’s in the video footage. Detectives also seized two (2) black handled knives matching the description of the weapons used in the armed robberies. Defendant Frias was taken into custody without incident.

Defendant Frias was charged with two counts of Armed Robbery, 1st Degree, Burglary, 3rd Degree and Theft, 3rd Degree.

Defendant Frias was lodged in the Somerset County Jail.