Man Arrested for Kidnapping and Sexual Assault in Franklin Township

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 Captain Lloyd Fredericks announced the arrest of Walter Robinson, age 40, Edgewater Park, New Jersey in relation to repeated sexual assaults which occurred in Franklin Township during the early morning hours to the late afternoon hours of March 3, 2026.

Prosecutor McDonald stated that on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at approximately 4:20 p.m., Franklin Township Police Department responded to a 9-1-1 call from an adult female Franklin Township resident reporting a sexual assault. Members of the Franklin Township Police Department responded to the victim’s residence to take an initial report. Detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victim’s Unit responded to interview the victim. The victim stated that on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, over the course of a twelve-hour period she was held captive in her home and repeatedly sexually assaulted by Walter Robinson, an individual known to her. According to the victim, she had been in a romantic relationship with Robinson which ended in 2024.

The victim stated she and Robinson remained in touch and would check in on each other from time to time. The victim further relayed to authorities that she was having a conversation with Robinson earlier in the night when he stated that he was going to come to her residence. The victim said she informed Robinson not to come. Robinson subsequently arrived at her residence in Franklin Township at approximately 3:00 a.m. Upon his arrival at her residence, the victim stated that Robinson made a sexual advance towards her which she turned down. According to the victim, Robinson retrieved a knife from her home and threatened her life. The victim stated Robinson proceeded to sexually assault her multiple times under the threat of harm over the next twelve hours until approximately 3:00 p.m. when he finally left the residence. The victim stated she made several attempts to alert her neighbors during this period but was unsuccessful.

An investigation was conducted by detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department and detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victim’s Unit.

Prosecutor McDonald stated that on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, a Superior Court search warrant was executed on Walter Robinson’s residence in Edgewater Park by the Willingboro Township SWAT team. Walter Robinson was placed under arrest without incident. Detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office and Franklin Township Police Department conducted a search of the residence which yielded a knife matching the description of the one utilized during the assault.

Defendant Robinson was transported to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office where he was processed on charges of:

• 1st degree Sexual Assault
• 1st degree Kidnapping
• 2nd degree Strangulation
• 3rd degree Terroristic Threats
• Two counts of 3rd degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, and
• Two counts of 4th degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon.

Defendant Robinson was lodged in Somerset County Jail pending a court hearing on this matter.

Prosecutor McDonald would like to thank the members of the Willingboro Township Police Department, Edgewater Park Township Police Department, and members of the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office for their assistance with 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 Special Victim’s 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 SCPO.TIPS. 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.

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