Police: Bomb threat may have been diversion

FRANKLIN — Borough police are saying a bomb threat called in on Saturday, Jan. 13, may have been a diversion to distract police from another crime being committed.
Police said an employee from Dunkin Donuts said that at approximately 12:30 a.m., a silver Volkswagen four-door sedan with a sun roof driven by a white male arrived and the male driver requested to use the store's landline phone. The employee further related that he instructed the individual to park his vehicle and come inside the store to use the phone.
A male with a beard, wearing a grey winter-style hat and an orange Under Armor hooded sweatshirt walked inside the store and took the cordless phone from the employee. The male contacted 9-1-1 and reported there was a bomb or explosive device in the Shop Rite plaza.
It is believed he reported the bomb or explosive in the Shop Rite as a diversion tactic to commit another crime away from the area, specifically an attempted burglary.
The Franklin Police is asking anyone who can identify the male in the photo or the vehicle in the photo to contact the Franklin Police Detective Bureau at 973-827-7700, Ext. 231 or 237. Phone calls and reports to the Franklin Borough Police can remain anonymous. Anyone with information can also e-mail nmattessich@franklinpd.org or dflora@franklinpd.org with any information.