Police Department

Franklin Township Public Safety

Mission Statement:

The mission of the Franklin Township Police Department is to protect and enhance the quality of life via a Community Policing Operational Philosophy, through a partnership with the community, and to promote a safe and secure environment, free from crime and the fear of crime, for all who live, work or visit our community.

Members of the Department are dedicated to accomplishing this mission by maintaining public peace and order through fair, impartial enforcement of the law, fostering an environment of cooperation and trust within our organization and the community, and challenging the future with a spirit of optimism and innovation.

PRESS RELEASE

Post Date:08/10/2015 1:58 PM
On June 30, 2015 at 8:43 AM the Franklin Township Police Department responded to a residence on Sapphire Lane in the Franklin Park section of the Township for a suspicious activity call.  Officers met with the caller who stated that she found a handwritten note under her vehicle’s windshield wiper.  The note was written in pencil and indicated that the writer wished to give the owner of the car a foot massage.   The note had a response area with check boxes for “yes,” “no,” or “maybe, thinking about it.”  The note instructed the female to leave her response under a rock and was signed, “Lives In The Neighborhood.”  Officers documented the incident and logged the note into evidence.  

Throughout the month of July the Franklin Township Police responded to several complaints throughout Society Hill of an individual offering foot massages to the lifeguards at the various pools.  The male suspect was always gone prior to police arrival and information about him was limited.   On July 24, 2015 at approximately 11:00 AM officers responded to the Society Hill II pool located on Fisher Drive for a similar incident.  The investigation into this incident revealed that the suspect was Lawrence A. Malapitan, 19, of Aspen Court in Monmouth Junction, NJ.  Detectives responded to Malapitan’s residence and spoke to him regarding these incidents.  He was advised that all pools within Society Hill were private property and he was not welcome there.  He was also told to discontinue offering foot massages to residents of Society Hill.  

On August 3, 2015 at approximately 12:05 PM police responded to the Society Hill I pool located on Pear Tree Lane in the Franklin Park section of the Township for a harassment report.  Upon arrival officers met with the 18 year old female lifeguard.  She stated that while she was setting up her station she was approached by an individual who began to ask her “strange questions.”  After determining that the individual didn’t have a pass for the pool, the lifeguard told him to leave the area.  Prior to leaving he asked her if she would like a foot massage.  The suspect fit Malapitan’s description.  As officers were taking this report, South Brunswick Police advised of an incident at the Nassau Square Clubhouse Pool in which a lifeguard had an individual begin to massage her feet.   Detectives immediately responded to Malapitan’s residence but he was not home.  A family member contacted him and asked him to come home immediately.  He was taken into custody without incident and transported to Franklin Township Police Headquarters.  At the conclusion of the investigation Malapitan was charged with Harassment, Defiant Trespass and Lewdness.  Bail was set at $2,500 full cash by the Honorable Judge Michael Fundun.  Malapitan was unable to post bail and was lodged in the Somerset County Jail.


*** CHARGES ARE MERELY AN ACCUSATION AND THE DEFENDANT IS PRESUMED INNOCENT UNLESS PROVEN OR FOUND GUILTY BY A COURT OF LAW.
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