Crime

Franklin Township and three other Somerset County towns reported one bias incident each in 2016, according to a report released by the state Attorney General’s Office. That was a reduction from the two bias crimes reported in Franklin in 2015, according to the report, which was released on March 27.

A 17-year-old township youth faces weapon and narcotics charges after he was found with a loaded handgun and drug paraphernalia in Franklin Middle school. The youth was part of the school district’s “Road to Success” alternative high school program, which is run out of the middle school. The program is geared to help those students having difficulty in high school …

Township Clerk Ann Marie McCarthy returned to her job March 9 after the Somerset County Prosecutor dropped insurance fraud charges against her. McCarthy was “not available for comment” the day she returned, said Deputy Township Clerk Msiba Holliman. Holliman was Acting Clerk in McCarthy’s absence.

The discovery by a Franklin Middle School student of a bullet in the school gym March 6 led to a lock down and search by township police. No weapons or other ammunition was found in the search of school lockers and student backpacks, according to statements released by the school district.

Questions remain unanswered in the Feb. 23 arrest in Franklin High School of a 17-year-old township youth who was allegedly found with a loaded gun in school. According to a Feb. 27 press release from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, the youth was found to have a loaded 9mm semi-automatic handgun in his backpack.

A 70-year-old township man and retired math teacher has been released from Somerset County Jail following his Feb. 23 arrest on child pornography related charges. Kent Kollmer of Norris Road in Somerset was released through a court order, according to court documents.

Authorities are investigating information received by township police Feb. 23 which prompted an increased police presence at Franklin High School. The matter is the subject of an “ongoing juvenile investigation” by the FTPD and Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office detectives, SCPO spokesman Jack Bennett said in an email. “No additional information to be released at this time.”

A 14-year-old township boy was arrested and suspended from school in connection with his allegedly making an online threat against Franklin High School on Feb. 15. Police and district officials determined the threat to not be credible before the youth was arrested, according to a press release from the Franklin Township Police Department. No students were ever in danger, the …

Three families were displaced following a fire Feb. 13 at Kingsberry Acres. No residents were injured in the blaze, but a Franklin Township Police officer was treated for a minor injury, according to a press release from the FTPD.