Crime

A 30-year-old Somerset man was among three people arrested on charges that they conspired to distribute multi-kilograms of cocaine in and around New Brunswick. Yunior Martinez-Jimenez of Somerset, Palemon Silvestre Sierra, 41 and Indhira de los Santos Padilla, 33, both of New Brunswick, appeared in federal court in Newark on June 28 to face the charges against them. They were …

Two township police officers are credited with defusing a tense situation with a distraught 11-year-old girl who had locked herself in her bedroom with a knife. At about 8:30 p.m. June 20, police received a 9-1-1 call about a person having a psychological crisis, according to a press release from the township Police Department. When they arrived, officers Brian Quigley …

Township Chief of Police Lawrence Roberts will retire in February, 2018, ending a 30-year career with the FTPD. Roberts, who has been chief since 2011, said that he has begin transferring some of his duties to Deputy Chief Richard Grammar, his probable successor. “We have in Franklin a succession plan, we plan for the future,” he said. “I think it’s …

Part of Bunker Hill Road was closed for four hours June 15 after several gallons of lawn pesticides were spilled during a single-auto accident. According to police, FTPD received a 9-1-1 call at about 1:51 p.m., reporting that a utility truck had overturned on the road. Responding officers found a 2005 Isuzu JW4 on its side, with the chemicals on …

A fight that resulted in the arrests of two Franklin High School students is under investigation by township police. FTPD spokesman Lt. Philip Rizzo said the fight occurred on June 8, and that the two 16-year-old youths taken into custody were later released to their parents. The incident is currently being investigated by the department’s Juvenile Bureau, he said. No …

A half-dozen Franklin Township police officers joined their colleagues across the state June 9 in running a stage of the 2017 Law Enforcement Torch Run for the NJ Special Olympics. The officers ran with a contingent of South Brunswick police officers from their starting point at Bennington Parkway and Route 27. Accompanied by police cars and a support van, the …

Update: Cox pleaded guilty to charges of kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault, according to a published report. Cox in October will be sentenced to 23 years in prison, must register as a Meagan’s Law offender and faces parole for life, according to the report in the Highland Park Planet. Original Story: A 23-year-old township man faces 16 charges – including …

A township man was wounded and another arrested on gun related charges in separate incidents over the Memorial Day Weekend. In total, there were three incidents involving guns over the weekend, according to a press release from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office. That brings to seven the number of shooting incidents in the township over the past two months. The …

An 81-year-old township woman was killed May 28 after she was struck by a car while crossing a road, police said. Police said Ernestine Register, 81, of Franklin Park was struck by a car driven by Kylie Fisher, also of Franklin Park, while Register was crossing Ten Mile Run Boulevard. Responding to multiple 9-1-1 calls, police aided Register until EMS …

A 31-year-old Whittier Avenue resident was charged May 25 with the sexual assault of a 4-year-old in a township store. David Lutz was charged with 2nd Degree Sexual Assault and 3rd Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child after the incident, according to a press release from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office. Police were called to the store, which was …