1-16-2026 4:56pm

A man and woman arrested in Franklin Township for Robberies

Donnella Tilery Editor

Sierra Manfredi, age 26, Milltown, New Jersey

FRANKLIN TWP., N.J. – Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr, and Franklin Township Public Safety Director Lloyd Fredericks announced the arrest of Jamaal Williams, age 24, Somerset, New Jersey and Sierra Manfredi, age 26, Milltown, New Jersey in relation to a robbery which occurred in the area of Franklin Boulevard in the early morning hours of Sunday, July 27, 2025.

Prosecutor McDonald stated that on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at approximately 1:00 a.m., Franklin Township Police Department responded to an apartment complex in the area of Franklin Boulevard for a report of a robbery. Upon arrival, Franklin Township police officers met with an adult male victim who reported that he had previously arranged to meet a female at the apartment complex. Upon his arrival, he met with the female and was then surrounded by three unidentified males carrying firearms. The victim stated that he was forced to turn over his belongings to include cash, jewelry, sunglasses, and a quantity of marijuana to the suspects. The victim did not sustain any injuries from this incident. Detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department responded to investigate.

An investigation was conducted by detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department and detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Crime Scene Investigation Unit. The investigation led to the identification of the female involved in the robbery as Sierra Manfredi of Milltown, New Jersey, and one of the males as Jamaal Williams, of Franklin Township, New Jersey.

Prosecutor McDonald stated on Monday, July 28, 2025, Sierra Manfredi was arrested without incident in Franklin Township. Defendant Manfredi was transported to the Franklin Township Police Department where she was processed on charges of 1st degree Armed Robbery and 2nd degree Conspiracy to Commit Robbery. Defendant Manfredi was lodged in Somerset County Jail and subsequently released pending her court date in this matter. A search for Jamaal Williams yielded negative results for his whereabouts.

Prosecutor McDonald stated that on Thursday, December 4, 2025, Jamaal Williams and Sierra Manfredi were indicated by a Somerset County Grand Jury on charges of 1st degree Armed Robbery, 1st degree Carjacking, 2nd degree Possession of a Firearm for an Unlawful Purpose, 2nd degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun, 2nd degree Conspiracy to Commit Robbery, and 2nd degree Conspiracy to Commit Carjacking. Defendant Williams was also indicted for 2nd degree Certain Persons Not to Have Weapons.

On Monday, January 5, 2026, detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office located Jamaal Williams in Edison, New Jersey. As detectives approached Williams, identifying themselves as police, Williams fled on foot. At one point during the brief foot pursuit, Williams stopped behind a parked vehicle in a parking lot and did not initially show his hands as requested by law enforcement. Detectives placed Williams under arrest and transported him to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office where he was processed on the indicted charges. Defendant Williams was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing on this matter.

Prosecutor McDonald stated that later in the day on Monday, January 5, 2026, officers from the Edison Township Police Department seized a handgun found in the area of a parking lot in proximity to where defendant Williams was arrested after he fled from the police. Further investigation conducted by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit led to additional charges and on January 8, 2026, Defendant Williams was charged with an additional count of 2nd degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun, 3rd degree Hindering Apprehension, and 4th degree Resisting Arrest by Flight. Defendant Williams was also charged with an additional count of 2nd degree Certain Persons Not to Have Weapons. Defendant Williams was served with his additional charges while he was lodged in the Morris County Jail. Following a detention hearing on January 14, 2026, Defendant Williams was detained pending trial.

Prosecutor McDonald would like to thank the members of the Edison Township Police Department and members of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Newark – Branchburg RA for their assistance in this investigation.

Prosecutor McDonald, Chief Roman, and Director Fredericks request anyone with information relating to this incident to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s 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 Somerset County Communication at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477) or through the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office website at https://somersetprosnj.gov All anonymous STOPit reports and tips will be kept confidential.

NOTE: The charges are merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.