FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Somerset County) — Two people have been arrested and charged in connection with an armed robbery reported at an apartment complex on Franklin Boulevard last summer, and one of the suspects was later taken into custody after fleeing detectives in Edison, authorities said.
Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said Jamaal Williams, 24, of Somerset, and Sierra Manfredi, 26, of Milltown, were arrested in connection with the robbery, which was reported about 1 a.m. Sunday, July 27, 2025.
Franklin Township police responded to the apartment complex and spoke with an adult male victim who said he had arranged to meet a woman there, McDonald said. The victim told police that when he arrived and met the woman, he was surrounded by three unidentified men carrying firearms and was forced to turn over cash, jewelry, sunglasses and a quantity of marijuana, the prosecutor said. The victim was not injured.
The investigation by Franklin Township police detectives and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Crime Scene Investigation Unit identified the woman as Manfredi and one of the men as Williams, McDonald said.
Manfredi was arrested without incident in Franklin Township on July 28, 2025, and charged with first-degree armed robbery and second-degree conspiracy to commit robbery, McDonald said. She was lodged in the Somerset County Jail and later released pending a court date, he said. Authorities said efforts to locate Williams at the time were unsuccessful.
A Somerset County grand jury later indicted Williams and Manfredi on Dec. 4, 2025, charging them with first-degree armed robbery, first-degree carjacking, second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun, second-degree conspiracy to commit robbery and second-degree conspiracy to commit carjacking, McDonald said. Williams was also indicted on a second-degree charge of certain persons not to have weapons, the prosecutor said.
Detectives located Williams on Jan. 5, 2026, in Edison, McDonald said. As detectives approached and identified themselves, Williams fled on foot, the prosecutor said. During the brief chase, authorities said, Williams stopped behind a parked vehicle in a lot and did not initially show his hands when directed. He was then arrested and transported to the prosecutor’s office for processing and was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing, McDonald said.
Later that day, officers from the Edison Township Police Department seized a handgun found in the area of a parking lot near where Williams was arrested, McDonald said. Further investigation led to additional charges filed Jan. 8, 2026, including second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun, third-degree hindering apprehension and fourth-degree resisting arrest by flight, as well as an additional second-degree count of certain persons not to have weapons, McDonald said.
Williams was served with the additional charges while he was lodged in the Morris County Jail, the prosecutor said. Following a detention hearing on Jan. 14, 2026, Williams was detained pending trial, McDonald said.
McDonald thanked the Edison Township Police Department and the FBI Newark Branchburg Resident Agency for assistance.
Authorities asked anyone with information to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100, the Franklin Township Police Department at (732) 873-5533, or submit tips through the STOPit app using access code SOMERSETNJ. Tips may also be provided through Somerset County Communications at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477) or through the prosecutor’s office website. Authorities said anonymous reports will be kept confidential.
