TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2021
FRANKLIN TWP., N.J. – Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor and Franklin Township Public Safety Director Quovella M. Spruill announced the arrests of Khrystian Trahan, age 24 of Cherry Street, Crowley, Louisiana and Domenic Murphy, age 19 of Moncrief Road, Jacksonville, Florida in connection with a robbery that occurred in the late evening hours of Tuesday, July 12, 2021 in Franklin Township.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at approximately 5:41 a.m., Franklin Township Police officers responded to a hotel located on World’s Fair Drive for a 9-1-1 call reporting a robbery. Upon responding, officers located an adult male victim from Franklin Township who stated that he was forced into his hotel room by two individuals that were known to him. Once in the room, one of the individuals placed an object to his head and told him not to move stating that he had a gun. The two individuals proceeded to steal $450.00 in cash, a Bluetooth speaker and some alcohol before fleeing the area. 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 an investigation.
Prosecutor Robertson stated as a result of this investigation, Khrystian Trahan was identified as one of the actors and charged with 1st degree Robbery, 2nd degree Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose and 2nd degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun. Also as a result of this investigation, Domenic Murphy was identified as the second actor and charged with 1st degree Robbery, 2nd degree Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose and 2nd degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun.
On Wednesday, July 21, 2021, Defendant Trahan was apprehended without incident in Tallassee, Alabama by members of the Tallassee Police Department.
On Wednesday, July 21, 2021, Defendant Murphy was apprehended without incident in Montgomery, Alabama by members of the Montgomery Police Department.
On Thursday, July 29, 2021 Defendants Trahan and Murphy were extradited from Alabama to New Jersey and are currently lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing in this matter.
Prosecutor Robertson would like to thank members of the Tallassee, Alabama Police Department and the Montgomery, Alabama Police Department for their assistance in this investigation.
Prosecutor Robertson, Chief Fodor and Director Spruill request anyone with information relating to the robbery to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100 or the Franklin Township Police Department at (732) 873-5533 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.
Note: We are required by the Rules of Court to include herein a statement explaining that the charges are merely an accusation and that the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.