Teen Goes To Purse-Snatching Victim's Home, Rams Car Through Garage Door

The contents of a Franklin woman's purse weren't enough for the Piscataway Township teen who snatched it outside of a local supermarket - so, he decided to pay a visit to his victim's home in pursuit of a more bountiful loot. 

Press release: 

Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Chief of Detectives Timothy Fitzgerald, and Franklin Township Chief of Police Lawrence W. Roberts announce the arrest of Jerrold May, age 18, of Highland Avenue, Piscataway Township, New Jersey.

Prosecutor Soriano states that on May, 23 at approximately 5:36 p.m. a Franklin Township woman called 911 to report that her purse was snatched from her while she was exiting a supermarket located in the Somerset Plaza near Stewart Avenue and Route 27 in Franklin Township, New Jersey. 

The victim’s purse contained currency, a cell phone, credit cards and keys to her residence and vehicle. The victim went home and made arrangements to have the exterior door locks on her residence changed. 

At approximately 11:15 p.m., the victim’s 32 year old son who was visiting at her Timberhill Drive residence, exited the victim’s home to retrieve an item from his vehicle. Once outside, the son was confronted by Jerrold May, who earlier snatched his mother’s purse. After being assaulted about the head and body with a blunt force object the son was able to retreat back into the house.  

Subsequently, defendant May kicked in a garage door panel and took a 2011 Burgundy colored RDX Acura bearing N.J license plates ZWN-11T. After backing the vehicle through the closed garage door the suspect stopped to pick up the bicycle that he arrived on and placed it in the rear of the SUV.

The son was transported to an area hospital where he was treated and released. 

Prosecutor Soriano further states yesterday at 5:54 p.m. defendant May was observed by a Franklin Township Patrol driving the same stolen SUV, without a rear license plate, in Franklin Township.  A motor vehicle stop was conducted and defendant May was placed under arrest. 

Defendant May was charged with Car Jacking, 1st Degree, Robbery with a Deadly Weapon, 1st Degree, 3 counts of Armed Robbery, 2nd Degree, Aggravated Assault, 2nd Degree, Burglary, 2nd Degree, Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purposes, 3rd Degree and Possession of Metal Knuckles, 4th Degree. 

Defendant May was remanded to the Somerset County Jail.