By: Richard L. Smith
Authorities in Somerset County reported the arrest of Michael Gaboff, 36, of Millstone, in connection with a bank robbery that occurred in the area of Route 27 in Franklin Township in the afternoon of Monday, August 22, 2022.
Prosecutor McDonald stated that on August 22, 2022, at approximately 2:08 p.m., Franklin Township Police Department received a call that a robbery had occurred at a bank located in the area of Route 27 in the Township of Franklin.
According to authorities, a male entered the bank demanding money from multiple bank tellers.
The bank tellers ultimately turned over an undisclosed amount of cash to the male based on his demands and he subsequently fled the scene on a motorcycle. The male suspect was described as wearing black shoes, black pants, a black shirt, a black mask and a black motorcycle helmet and goggles.
Franklin Township Police Department officers responded to the scene and canvassed the area in search of the suspect.
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 conduct the investigation.
Authorities said an agent from the FBI Newark –Franklin Township Resident Agency Office assisted with the bank robbery investigation.
As a result of the three-month investigation, defendant Gaboff was identified as the individual that robbed the bank.
On Friday, December 2, 2022, with the assistance of the Newark FBI SWAT Team, agents from the FBI Newark – Franklin Township Resident Agency Office, members of the Franklin Township Police Department, members of the Monroe Township (Middlesex County) Police Department, members of the New Jersey State Police, and detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office executed a search warrant at Gaboff’ s residence in Millstone(Monmouth County), New Jersey.
On December 2, 2022, as a result of this investigation, defendant Michael Gaboff was arrested in Ocean by investigators assigned to the investigation.
Authorities said Gaboff was charged with 2nd-degree Robbery and 2nd-degree Conspiracy to Commit Robbery. He was transported to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s office for processing and subsequently lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.
On December 2, 2022, as a result of this investigation, the below-listed family members of defendant Michael Gaboff were each arrested and charged with 3rd degree Hindering:
• Alan Gaboff, 66, Ely Harmony Road, Millstone, New Jersey
• Sharon Gaboff, 60, Ely Harmony Road, Millstone, New Jersey
• Jesse Gaboff, 23, Ely Harmony Road, Millstone, New Jersey
Sharon Gaboff, Alan Gaboff and Jesse Gaboff were all processed and released pending a court appearance.
Prosecutor McDonald would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance in this investigation: the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New Jersey State Police, Monroe Township Police Department, and the Princeton Police Department.
Prosecutor McDonald, Chief Fodor, and Director Maeweather request anyone with information relating to this bank 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