Authorities Say Suspect Held Victim Captive For Nearly 12 Hours, Threatening Her With A Knife During Repeated Assaults

Monday, March 9, 2026, 3:50 P.M. ET. 5 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, NJ.- A Burlington County man has been charged with kidnapping and repeatedly sexually assaulting a Somerset County woman during a prolonged attack that investigators say lasted nearly twelve hours inside the victim’s home, according to authorities.

     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, 40, of Edgewater Park, New Jersey, in connection with the alleged assaults that occurred during the early morning through late afternoon hours of March 3, 2026.

     According to officials, Police Officers from the Franklin Township Police Department responded to a 911 Emergency Call at approximately 4:20 p.m. on March 3, 2026, from an adult female resident reporting that she had been sexually assaulted.

     Police units responded to the victim’s residence to conduct the initial investigation. Detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit were then dispatched to the scene to interview the victim and begin a joint investigation.

Victim Reported Being Held Captive For Hours;

     According to investigators, the victim told authorities that Robinson, an individual known to her, had held her captive inside her home and sexually assaulted her multiple times over the course of approximately twelve hours.

     The victim reported that she had previously been in a romantic relationship with Robinson, which ended in 2024. Despite the breakup, she told investigators the two had occasionally remained in contact and would check in on one another periodically.

     Authorities say the victim reported that she was speaking with Robinson earlier in the evening on March 3, 2026, when he told her he intended to come to her residence. The victim said she explicitly instructed Robinson not to come.

     Despite that request, Robinson allegedly arrived at the residence in Franklin Township at approximately 3:00 a.m.

     According to the victim’s statement to investigators, Robinson made a sexual advance shortly after arriving. When the victim rejected the advance, Robinson allegedly retrieved a knife from inside the residence and threatened to kill her.

     Under the threat of harm, the victim told detectives Robinson sexually assaulted her multiple times throughout the day.

     Authorities say the victim reported that Robinson kept her under his control from roughly 3:00 a.m. until approximately 3:00 p.m., when he finally left the home.

     During that time, the victim reportedly attempted several times to alert neighbors and seek help but was unsuccessful.

Investigation Leads To Arrest;

     Following the victim’s report, detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit launched an investigation into the alleged attack.

     According to prosecutors, the investigation led authorities to Robinson’s residence in Edgewater Park, New Jersey, located in Burlington County, in southern New Jersey.

     On Wednesday, March 4, 2026, investigators executed a Superior Court search warrant at Robinson’s home. The operation was carried out by members of the Willingboro Township SWAT Team.

     Authorities said Robinson was taken into custody without incident during the execution of the warrant.

     During a subsequent search of the residence conducted by detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office and Franklin Township Police Department, investigators located and recovered a knife matching the description provided by the victim, officials said.

Charges Filed;

     Robinson was transported to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, where he was formally processed on multiple criminal charges, including:

     • First-degree Sexual Assault
     • First-degree Kidnapping
     • Second-degree Strangulation
     • Third-degree Terroristic Threats
     • Two counts of third-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose
     • Two counts of fourth-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon

     Under New Jersey law, first-degree sexual assault and kidnapping charges carry potential prison sentences of 10 to 20 years if convicted, and kidnapping may expose a defendant to significantly longer incarceration depending on the circumstances.

     Robinson was lodged in the Somerset County Jail, where he remains pending a court hearing in Superior Court.

Multi-Agency Cooperation;

     Prosecutor McDonald credited multiple law enforcement agencies for their assistance in the investigation and arrest.

     Authorities specifically thanked members of the Willingboro Township Police Department, the Edgewater Park Township Police Department, and the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office for their support in executing the warrant and assisting with the case.

     The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit or the Franklin Township Police Department.

Editor’s Note:

This article was written by Art Fletcher and is based on official statements released by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office and law enforcement authorities involved in the investigation. Criminal charges are accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Englebrook Independent News does not identify victims of alleged sexual assault in accordance with widely accepted journalistic standards and victim privacy protections.