Somerset County officials announced an investigation into multiple armed robberies of businesses in the early morning hours of August 6, 9 and 10 in Franklin Township.
Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald stated that on Saturday, August 6, at approximately 5:14 a.m., Franklin Township Police officers responded to a hotel located on Cottontail Lane for a panic alarm.
Upon responding, officers located a male victim who stated that while working at the hotel, a black male wearing a hooded sweatshirt and a white facial covering came towards him, brandishing a black handgun and demanding that he lay on the floor.
According to Prosecutor McDonald, the suspect demanded money from the cash register. An undisclosed amount of cash was taken from the register, as well as the victim’s cellular telephone.
Detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, along with detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department, responded to the scene to investigate.
Prosecutor McDonald stated that on Tuesday, August 9, at approximately 12:23 a.m., Franklin Township Police officers responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting an armed robbery at a convenience store in the area of Hamilton Street.
Upon responding, officers spoke to the victim, who stated that a black male in his late teens or early 20s entered the store and brandished a handgun, demanding money.
According to Prosecutor McDonald, the victim was able to distract the male and knock down the cash drawer preventing him from grabbing any money. The suspect left the store without obtaining any money or items from the store.
Detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department responded to the scene to investigate. Detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit assisted Franklin Township detectives with follow-up for the investigation.
Prosecutor McDonald stated that on Wednesday, August 10, at approximately 12:48 a.m., Franklin Township Police officers responded to a gas station in the area of Franklin Blvd. for a 9-1-1 call reporting an armed robbery.
Upon responding, officers located a male victim who stated that two individuals described as being black males in their late teens had entered the store.
According to Prosecutor McDonald, the first suspect, described as approximately 5’7”, thin build wearing a hoodie and a white mask, brandished a black handgun and pointed it at the victim.
The victim was ordered to open the cash drawer while the second suspect, described as approximately 5’5” with a heavier build wearing all black and a face mask, reached into the drawer and removed an undisclosed amount of cash.
Both suspects then fled the area. Detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department responded to the scene to conduct an investigation.
Detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit assisted Franklin Township detectives with follow-up for the investigation.
Prosecutor McDonald stated that detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Franklin Township Police Department are investigating all three armed robberies to determine if the cases are related.
Somerset County request anyone with information relating to the armed robberies to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100 or the Franklin Township Police Department at (732) 873-5533.
Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477).
All anonymous Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.