Crime News

Township police received a 911 call of a brush fire at Middlebush Park, DeMott Lane, at a bout 1:58 p.m. April 23, according to Police Department spokesman Sgt. Philip Rizzo. Rizzo said the fire was quickly extinguished with no reported injuries. There was no word on what caused the fire. Firefighters from several companies, including Middlebush and Elizabeth Avenue, responded. …

Somerset County high school seniors are eligible to participate in the “Personal Safety for High School Seniors” program 6-9 p.m. May 28 and June 11 at the Somerset County Emergency Services Academy 402 Roycefield Rd., Hillsborough. Covered topics will include victimization, predators, situational awareness, personal safety tips, identifying potential safety issues, dealing with a physical confrontation, being a good witness …

A number of homes on Drake Road were evacuated April 12 after a live hand grenade was found in one of them. Police said the grenade was later found to be inert and not in danger of exploding. Police said they received a call at about 9:42 a.m. from a man who said he was going through his parents’ things, …

A township woman who was reported to be bleeding from her arm was found by police to have inflicted the wounds herself. Police received a 9-1-1 call shortly after 10 a.m. April 8, reporting that a woman was seen walking near Hamilton Street and Franklin Boulevard, bleeding from her arm. Police responded and found the 47-year-old woman, who they did …

A township woman was arrested late last month at the Somerset County Courthouse, Somerville, after Sheriff’s Officers found empty heroin folds and prescription medicine in her purse. Beatriz Rivera of Franklin Park was charged on  March 27 with 3rd-Degree possession of a controlled, dangrous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, a disorderly persons offense, according to a release on the …

More than $3,000 in heroin and an assortment of weapons were recovered in a multi-county drug sting that resulted in the arrests of 27 people. The five-month investigation targeted heroin distribution in and around Franklin Township and New Brunswick, according to a release on the operation from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office. The investigation revealed that three people – William …

More than $5,000 worth of damage was done to two soda vending machines at Quail Brook Golf Course, New Brunswick Road, police said. A golf course employee told police that sometime between April 1 and 2, two machines were damaged and soda and cash were stolen. Police said one of the machines looked as though it had been pried open …

The township police department is one of 10 Somerset County departments to receive a $5,000 grant to aid in its participation in the “U Drive. U Text. U Pay” crackdown on distracted driving. The effort, which was developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, runs through April 21. Statewide, 60 police departments received $300,000, according to a press release …

Township police played an unspecified but “integral” role in the April 1 arrest of an Edison man who authorities said burglarized homes in Middlesex and Bergen counties. Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano said in a release that Herbbie Sheffield, 46, was arrested in Old Bridge by members of the Somerset County Burglary Task Force after he was found in …

An 18-year-old Franklin High School senior who was “violently assaulted” early in the morning of April 26 remains in critical condition, officials said. A $2,500 reward is being offered by Crime Stoppers of Somerset County for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the person responsible for the attack on the 18-year-old woman, according to a release from the Somerset …