Franklin woman is facing 20 years in prison after week-long robbery spree.
Franklin police arrested woman who allegedly robbed a store, gas station and taxi over the course of a week. (Dave Hutchinson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)SOMERSET -- A Franklin Township woman who authorities say went on a week-long robbery spree this past June pleaded not guilty Friday in Somerset County Superior Court.
Laquita Cooper, 27, of the Somerset section of Franklin Township, entered her plea during her arraignment before Judge Matthew Curry.
From June 22 to June 29, Cooper allegedly robbed a convenience store, a gas station and a taxi while wielding a knife and a handgun, authorities said.
Cooper, who has been charged with three counts of first-degree robbery and one count of fourth-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, is facing 20 years in jail, the judge told her.
She has been remanded to the Somerset County Jail in lieu of $250,000 cash-only bail.
Assistant prosecutor Michael McLaughlin offered Cooper a plea deal of 15 years in prison with 85-percent time served before becoming eligible for parole.
Cooper's attorney, public defender Stuart White, indicated that he's preparing to go to trial.
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On June 22, Cooper allegedly entered a Hamilton Street convenience store, pointed a knife at a store clerk and demanded money, authorities said. She allegedly reached over the counter, grabbed an undisclosed amount of money and fled, authorities said.
Three days later, authorities allege Cooper entered a Hamilton Street gas station convenience store. Armed with a handgun, she ordered the clerk to hand over an undisclosed amount of money and she fled once again, authorities said.
Finally, on June 29, Cooper was traveling in a taxi cab as a passenger in the area of Douglas Avenue when she allegedly pointed a gun at the driver and demanded money, authorities said. The driver, however, refused to give her money so she reached over the seat and grabbed approximately $100 from the vehicle's center console, authorities said.
After a brief struggle, the driver disarmed Cooper and she fled from the vehicle, authorities said.
On July 6, Cooper was at police headquarters regarding this investigation when she was arrested, authorities said. Authorities haven't said what led them to Cooper.
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