MAY 4, 2023

NEWS RELEASE

POLICE SEEKING INFORMATION IN FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP ARMED ROBBERY

FRANKLIN TWP., N.J. – Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor, and Franklin Township Public Safety Director Quovella M. Maeweather announced an investigation into an armed robbery that occurred at a business located on Hamilton Street, Franklin Township, New Jersey.

Prosecutor McDonald stated that on Monday, May 1, 2023, at approximately 11:56 a.m., Franklin Township Police Department responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting an armed robbery at a local jewelry store. Upon arrival, police determined that three unidentified males gained entry by breaking the glass of the locked front door while a fourth unidentified male remained outside in a vehicle. One of the unidentified males entered the store while brandishing a handgun towards the employees, while the other two suspects proceeded to smash the glass display cases and steal an undisclosed amount of jewelry before fleeing the area in a vehicle. No injuries occurred during the robbery.

Detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit responded to the scene to investigate. The male actors wore masks and gloves during the robbery and were last seen fleeing the area on Hamilton Street towards Kossuth Street, Somerset, New Jersey in an older model silver 4 door Lincoln Town car believed to have out of state license plates. Investigators are seeking the public’s help with any information relating to the actors or the aforementioned vehicle which they may have observed in the area on May 1st, either before or after the robbery.

Prosecutor McDonald, Chief Fodor, and Director Maeweather request anyone with information relating to the armed robbery 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). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

NOTE: The following information is based on a preliminary and ongoing investigation, which continues to evolve as investigators interview witnesses, review physical and electronic records, and analyze forensic evidence. The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office’s understanding of the facts and circumstances may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed.