The Borough Police charged a local 18-year-old with allegedly participating in three armed robberies in the University area over the past eight days, the police announced Thursday afternoon.
Franco Lopez-Solis was arrested late Wednesday night after he voluntarily went to police headquarters for questioning. He is accused of robbing at knifepoint a University graduate student and postdoctoral student, in separate incidents, and of participating in the robbery of a man and woman in town attending a wedding.
The robberies that he allegedly committed alone occurred within minutes of his residence near the former University Medical Center at Princeton; the wedding robbery, in which Lopez-Solis had three alleged accomplices, occurred on Roper Lane, in between Cottage Club and Cap & Gown Club.
No one was injured in the incidents.
Lopez-Solis has been charged with three counts of armed robbery, three counts of aggravated assault and six counts of weapons possession offenses. He was sent to the Mercer County Corrections Center after failing to post his $300,000 bail, police Captain Nicholas Sutter said in a press release.
The first incident occurred on the evening of Oct. 24 near Stanworth Apartments northwest of campus. Lopez-Solis allegedly approached the male victim, a graduate student, on John Street and demanded his wallet and cell phone.
The second incident occurred just after midnight on Oct. 28. Four suspects allegedly surrounded a male and a female victim on Roper Lane. Lopez-Solis allegedly gave a knife to another suspect, who brandished it and demanded money. While the incident was occurring, a police patrol car approached the area, and an officer chased one of the suspects.
Police arrested two men, 20-year-old Humberto Aparicio and 23-year-old Otto Gramajo, both Princeton residents, at the scene. They were charged with robbery, aggravated assault and weapons possession and were sent to county jail after failing to post their respective $150,000 bails, according to Sutter. The fourth suspect was not found.
Lopez allegedly committed the third robbery that same evening when he approached a postdoctoral student on Witherspoon Street near Lytle Street, near the former location of the University Medical Center at Princeton. He once again wielded a knife and demanded the victim's money, according to the police.
Read More
Princeton launches ‘Stand Up’ website, alumni newsletter in response to federal attacks
Devon RudolphPrinceton University released a statement announcing a new initiative called “Stand Up,” reaffirming the University’s commitment to freedom of speech and academic research funding, while criticizing the new presidential administration’s federal funding cuts.
Princeton University released a statement announcing a new initiative called “Stand Up,” reaffirming the University’s commitment to freedom of speech and academic research funding, while criticizing the new presidential administration’s federal funding cuts.
May Day protest draws hundreds at Princeton in support of labor, immigration, and Palestine
Sena Chang and Luke GrippoProtesters organized by Resistencia en Acción in New Jersey gathered on May 1 to express concerns about U.S. immigration policies, the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, and labor rights issues.
Protesters organized by Resistencia en Acción in New Jersey gathered on May 1 to express concerns about U.S. immigration policies, the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, and labor rights issues.
84 acts, 15 porches, and 30-mile-an-hour winds: students and community enjoy Porchfest
Isabella RobertsDespite light rain and clouds during the day, Porchfest continued without interruption. Students, professors, Princeton locals, and others could all be seen enjoying the day’s performances all over town.
Despite light rain and clouds during the day, Porchfest continued without interruption. Students, professors, Princeton locals, and others could all be seen enjoying the day’s performances all over town.