Two Arrested in Connection with Franklin Township Robbery

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, NJ (Somerset County) – Somerset County Prosecutor, John P. McDonald, announced the arrest of two individuals in relation to a robbery that took place earlier this month in Franklin Township. The incident, which occurred on Thursday, November 9, at approximately 1:24 p.m., was reported to the police through a 9-1-1 call. According to the caller, two males engaged in an altercation with another male in the vicinity of Claremont Road. The caller further stated that one of the males seemed to be in possession of a handgun.

Responding swiftly, the authorities located the described SUV and successfully detained the two suspects for further investigation. Following an in-depth inquiry, it was revealed that the driver of the SUV, a 17-year-old male from Middlesex County, who was one of the individuals detained initially, had approached a male on Claremont Road. The driver allegedly brandished a handgun, demanding the victim’s money and cellular telephone. The passenger of the SUV, identified as 18-year-old Oscar Juarez-Perfecto from Franklin Township, also exited the vehicle and threatened the victim with a handgun.

Although the victim was relieved of a vape pen during the ordeal, no physical injuries were reported as a result of the robbery. The diligent efforts of detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Franklin Township Police Department led to the recovery of the two handguns used during the incident.

Oscar Juarez-Perfecto and the juvenile driver were subsequently arrested and charged with first-degree robbery, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Juarez-Perfecto was remanded to the Somerset County Jail, awaiting a detention hearing, while the juvenile was held at the Middlesex County Youth Detention Center, awaiting a family court appearance.