Latest news with #Franky
The Advertiser
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
New life planned for Kurt's Coffee House: 'friendly, casual, signature dishes'
THERE are some exciting things happening in Devonshire Street with plans to breathe new life into the former Kurt's Coffee House. Mortgage broker Darby Franklin and operations manager Kris Saunders bought the property after it was passed in at auction last year. "I first noticed it on the internet and then I walked past it," Mr Saunders said. "It looked like a cool building, it has nice character about it." Despite the derelict appearance of the two-level property at 3 Devonshire Street, the pair discovered the building was, for the most part, structurally sound. "We want to keep it pretty much the same out the front, and we want to keep the aesthetic of the building," he said. While the opening might be 12 to 18 months away, the pair have already locked in Matt McFarlane for the project, who formerly ran the popular Carrington haunt Franky's Dumplings & Noodles. The beloved Chinese restaurant closed in March 2024. At the time, owner Mr McFarlane said he'd "run out of puff" after operating the business with his late business partner, Hua "Franky" Fan, since 2018. But it seems this new project in the heart of Newcastle has caught his attention. "It is definitely going to be Franky's style, but it is going to be something new," he told Newcastle Herald. "Friendly, casual, signature dishes with a small menu and live music. We will have to have a picture of Franky on the wall somewhere." Mr Franklin was a regular at the dumpling house and approached Mr McFarlane with a business proposition. "I was flattered," Mr McFarlane said. "It is going to be so much work, but I think it is great. I love what Bernie's are doing and I think it will be great to be part of that community." The building dates back to the early 1900s and operated as Kurt's Coffee Lounge from the 1970s to the 1990s. The first owner, Kurt Piccardi, was a well-known businessman and after whom the cafe was named. The plans for the new restaurant and small bar have been lodged with Newcastle council. They include a dining space downstairs for 20 patrons, a bar, toilets and commercial kitchen. Upstairs will be an open-plan dining area for 48 patrons within the building and a rebuilt balcony with insulated roof sheeting and louvre roof. When looking at a bird's-eye view of the building it is easy to see why the balcony needs to be rebuilt. "I love old buildings," he said. "It is a shell of a building, and we don't want to change it too much, but I really want to use the deck out the back." The property is zoned for mixed-use, and the team hopes the plans for a smaller venue will get the green light from the council. Most people already use apps to share rides, get food deliveries and organise their dating lives, but a service that matches people and businesses with places has recently cracked the Hunter market. Vennu is a platform that lists community assets and matches them with people seeking spaces for all kinds of activities and events. For example, the platform has partnered with Marine Rescue NSW, and one of the newest listings is the Marine Rescue Newcastle meeting rooms, which can be hired by other businesses that require a conference space. It is not just business suites and formal events either, Vennu has a collaboration with Screen NSW and hires out spaces and locations for filming. Glenworth Valley's 3000-acre wilderness Epworth House on the Central Coast is one of the sites listed for hire for film and television The platform is open to people who need venues for workshops, events, meetings, or creative projects. University of Newcastle Emeritus Professor Rick Middleton is now a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science. He is internationally renowned for his contributions to electrical engineering, having pioneered work on fundamental limitations in control system design and practical aspects of process control, telecommunications, power electronics and systems biology. Professor Middleton described the appointment as "a great honour" and thanked colleagues and students for creating the "amazing and rich intellectual environment that nurtured and supported my work". President of the Academy, Professor Chennupati Jagadish AC, said the new Fellows of 2025 represented the exceptional breadth and depth of Australian scientific excellence. "Each Fellow has made remarkable contributions in their field, demonstrating the vital role that science plays in addressing our most pressing challenges and expanding human knowledge," he said. With the election of the 26 new Fellows in 2025, the Australian Academy of Science Fellowship now stands at 638. Design lovers and treasure seekers have a new reason to visit the Hunter Valley. It's called The Trove, and it's a homewares and art collective housed at Leaves & Fishes in Lovedale. Blending global aesthetics with local character, The Trove is an ever-evolving collection of homewares, furniture, living plants and original artworks - each piece handpicked for its craftsmanship, story, and ability to transform a space. "We wanted to create a space that celebrates individuality and promotes sustainability," Kristy McGuigan said. She bought Leaves & Fishes with her husband, Aaron, in early 2023. "Every piece has been selected to reflect a sense of discovery and a global perspective, while staying true to the relaxed, earthy essence of Leaves & Fishes and the Hunter Valley." Hunter Valley artist Rebecca Rath's large-scale oil paintings have featured in The Trove's first exhibition, Of Land and Light, including pieces from her My Pokolbin, Hawkesbury and Wollemi series. "These paintings represent pivotal moments in my artistic journey," Ms Rath said. "Bringing them into a space designed for beautiful living feels like the perfect way to share their story." Ms Rath began her artistic journey at Hornsby TAFE in 1992 before completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) at UNSW. Her chosen medium is en plein air painting and drawing. "After moving from Sydney to the Hunter Valley over 20 years ago, my work naturally shifted toward painting landscapes," she said. "My practice is grounded in the act of finding, both literally and metaphorically. "I seek out landscapes that evoke stillness, tension, or transition - places where light shifts, seasons change, and the land sits on the edge of development. "These spaces offer both visual inspiration and moments of personal reflection." Her work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally, and her solo exhibition, Found, opens at Maitland Regional Art Gallery on June 7. THERE are some exciting things happening in Devonshire Street with plans to breathe new life into the former Kurt's Coffee House. Mortgage broker Darby Franklin and operations manager Kris Saunders bought the property after it was passed in at auction last year. "I first noticed it on the internet and then I walked past it," Mr Saunders said. "It looked like a cool building, it has nice character about it." Despite the derelict appearance of the two-level property at 3 Devonshire Street, the pair discovered the building was, for the most part, structurally sound. "We want to keep it pretty much the same out the front, and we want to keep the aesthetic of the building," he said. While the opening might be 12 to 18 months away, the pair have already locked in Matt McFarlane for the project, who formerly ran the popular Carrington haunt Franky's Dumplings & Noodles. The beloved Chinese restaurant closed in March 2024. At the time, owner Mr McFarlane said he'd "run out of puff" after operating the business with his late business partner, Hua "Franky" Fan, since 2018. But it seems this new project in the heart of Newcastle has caught his attention. "It is definitely going to be Franky's style, but it is going to be something new," he told Newcastle Herald. "Friendly, casual, signature dishes with a small menu and live music. We will have to have a picture of Franky on the wall somewhere." Mr Franklin was a regular at the dumpling house and approached Mr McFarlane with a business proposition. "I was flattered," Mr McFarlane said. "It is going to be so much work, but I think it is great. I love what Bernie's are doing and I think it will be great to be part of that community." The building dates back to the early 1900s and operated as Kurt's Coffee Lounge from the 1970s to the 1990s. The first owner, Kurt Piccardi, was a well-known businessman and after whom the cafe was named. The plans for the new restaurant and small bar have been lodged with Newcastle council. They include a dining space downstairs for 20 patrons, a bar, toilets and commercial kitchen. Upstairs will be an open-plan dining area for 48 patrons within the building and a rebuilt balcony with insulated roof sheeting and louvre roof. When looking at a bird's-eye view of the building it is easy to see why the balcony needs to be rebuilt. "I love old buildings," he said. "It is a shell of a building, and we don't want to change it too much, but I really want to use the deck out the back." The property is zoned for mixed-use, and the team hopes the plans for a smaller venue will get the green light from the council. Most people already use apps to share rides, get food deliveries and organise their dating lives, but a service that matches people and businesses with places has recently cracked the Hunter market. Vennu is a platform that lists community assets and matches them with people seeking spaces for all kinds of activities and events. For example, the platform has partnered with Marine Rescue NSW, and one of the newest listings is the Marine Rescue Newcastle meeting rooms, which can be hired by other businesses that require a conference space. It is not just business suites and formal events either, Vennu has a collaboration with Screen NSW and hires out spaces and locations for filming. Glenworth Valley's 3000-acre wilderness Epworth House on the Central Coast is one of the sites listed for hire for film and television The platform is open to people who need venues for workshops, events, meetings, or creative projects. University of Newcastle Emeritus Professor Rick Middleton is now a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science. He is internationally renowned for his contributions to electrical engineering, having pioneered work on fundamental limitations in control system design and practical aspects of process control, telecommunications, power electronics and systems biology. Professor Middleton described the appointment as "a great honour" and thanked colleagues and students for creating the "amazing and rich intellectual environment that nurtured and supported my work". President of the Academy, Professor Chennupati Jagadish AC, said the new Fellows of 2025 represented the exceptional breadth and depth of Australian scientific excellence. "Each Fellow has made remarkable contributions in their field, demonstrating the vital role that science plays in addressing our most pressing challenges and expanding human knowledge," he said. With the election of the 26 new Fellows in 2025, the Australian Academy of Science Fellowship now stands at 638. Design lovers and treasure seekers have a new reason to visit the Hunter Valley. It's called The Trove, and it's a homewares and art collective housed at Leaves & Fishes in Lovedale. Blending global aesthetics with local character, The Trove is an ever-evolving collection of homewares, furniture, living plants and original artworks - each piece handpicked for its craftsmanship, story, and ability to transform a space. "We wanted to create a space that celebrates individuality and promotes sustainability," Kristy McGuigan said. She bought Leaves & Fishes with her husband, Aaron, in early 2023. "Every piece has been selected to reflect a sense of discovery and a global perspective, while staying true to the relaxed, earthy essence of Leaves & Fishes and the Hunter Valley." Hunter Valley artist Rebecca Rath's large-scale oil paintings have featured in The Trove's first exhibition, Of Land and Light, including pieces from her My Pokolbin, Hawkesbury and Wollemi series. "These paintings represent pivotal moments in my artistic journey," Ms Rath said. "Bringing them into a space designed for beautiful living feels like the perfect way to share their story." Ms Rath began her artistic journey at Hornsby TAFE in 1992 before completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) at UNSW. Her chosen medium is en plein air painting and drawing. "After moving from Sydney to the Hunter Valley over 20 years ago, my work naturally shifted toward painting landscapes," she said. "My practice is grounded in the act of finding, both literally and metaphorically. "I seek out landscapes that evoke stillness, tension, or transition - places where light shifts, seasons change, and the land sits on the edge of development. "These spaces offer both visual inspiration and moments of personal reflection." Her work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally, and her solo exhibition, Found, opens at Maitland Regional Art Gallery on June 7. THERE are some exciting things happening in Devonshire Street with plans to breathe new life into the former Kurt's Coffee House. Mortgage broker Darby Franklin and operations manager Kris Saunders bought the property after it was passed in at auction last year. "I first noticed it on the internet and then I walked past it," Mr Saunders said. "It looked like a cool building, it has nice character about it." Despite the derelict appearance of the two-level property at 3 Devonshire Street, the pair discovered the building was, for the most part, structurally sound. "We want to keep it pretty much the same out the front, and we want to keep the aesthetic of the building," he said. While the opening might be 12 to 18 months away, the pair have already locked in Matt McFarlane for the project, who formerly ran the popular Carrington haunt Franky's Dumplings & Noodles. The beloved Chinese restaurant closed in March 2024. At the time, owner Mr McFarlane said he'd "run out of puff" after operating the business with his late business partner, Hua "Franky" Fan, since 2018. But it seems this new project in the heart of Newcastle has caught his attention. "It is definitely going to be Franky's style, but it is going to be something new," he told Newcastle Herald. "Friendly, casual, signature dishes with a small menu and live music. We will have to have a picture of Franky on the wall somewhere." Mr Franklin was a regular at the dumpling house and approached Mr McFarlane with a business proposition. "I was flattered," Mr McFarlane said. "It is going to be so much work, but I think it is great. I love what Bernie's are doing and I think it will be great to be part of that community." The building dates back to the early 1900s and operated as Kurt's Coffee Lounge from the 1970s to the 1990s. The first owner, Kurt Piccardi, was a well-known businessman and after whom the cafe was named. The plans for the new restaurant and small bar have been lodged with Newcastle council. They include a dining space downstairs for 20 patrons, a bar, toilets and commercial kitchen. Upstairs will be an open-plan dining area for 48 patrons within the building and a rebuilt balcony with insulated roof sheeting and louvre roof. When looking at a bird's-eye view of the building it is easy to see why the balcony needs to be rebuilt. "I love old buildings," he said. "It is a shell of a building, and we don't want to change it too much, but I really want to use the deck out the back." The property is zoned for mixed-use, and the team hopes the plans for a smaller venue will get the green light from the council. Most people already use apps to share rides, get food deliveries and organise their dating lives, but a service that matches people and businesses with places has recently cracked the Hunter market. Vennu is a platform that lists community assets and matches them with people seeking spaces for all kinds of activities and events. For example, the platform has partnered with Marine Rescue NSW, and one of the newest listings is the Marine Rescue Newcastle meeting rooms, which can be hired by other businesses that require a conference space. It is not just business suites and formal events either, Vennu has a collaboration with Screen NSW and hires out spaces and locations for filming. Glenworth Valley's 3000-acre wilderness Epworth House on the Central Coast is one of the sites listed for hire for film and television The platform is open to people who need venues for workshops, events, meetings, or creative projects. University of Newcastle Emeritus Professor Rick Middleton is now a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science. He is internationally renowned for his contributions to electrical engineering, having pioneered work on fundamental limitations in control system design and practical aspects of process control, telecommunications, power electronics and systems biology. Professor Middleton described the appointment as "a great honour" and thanked colleagues and students for creating the "amazing and rich intellectual environment that nurtured and supported my work". President of the Academy, Professor Chennupati Jagadish AC, said the new Fellows of 2025 represented the exceptional breadth and depth of Australian scientific excellence. "Each Fellow has made remarkable contributions in their field, demonstrating the vital role that science plays in addressing our most pressing challenges and expanding human knowledge," he said. With the election of the 26 new Fellows in 2025, the Australian Academy of Science Fellowship now stands at 638. Design lovers and treasure seekers have a new reason to visit the Hunter Valley. It's called The Trove, and it's a homewares and art collective housed at Leaves & Fishes in Lovedale. Blending global aesthetics with local character, The Trove is an ever-evolving collection of homewares, furniture, living plants and original artworks - each piece handpicked for its craftsmanship, story, and ability to transform a space. "We wanted to create a space that celebrates individuality and promotes sustainability," Kristy McGuigan said. She bought Leaves & Fishes with her husband, Aaron, in early 2023. "Every piece has been selected to reflect a sense of discovery and a global perspective, while staying true to the relaxed, earthy essence of Leaves & Fishes and the Hunter Valley." Hunter Valley artist Rebecca Rath's large-scale oil paintings have featured in The Trove's first exhibition, Of Land and Light, including pieces from her My Pokolbin, Hawkesbury and Wollemi series. "These paintings represent pivotal moments in my artistic journey," Ms Rath said. "Bringing them into a space designed for beautiful living feels like the perfect way to share their story." Ms Rath began her artistic journey at Hornsby TAFE in 1992 before completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) at UNSW. Her chosen medium is en plein air painting and drawing. "After moving from Sydney to the Hunter Valley over 20 years ago, my work naturally shifted toward painting landscapes," she said. "My practice is grounded in the act of finding, both literally and metaphorically. "I seek out landscapes that evoke stillness, tension, or transition - places where light shifts, seasons change, and the land sits on the edge of development. "These spaces offer both visual inspiration and moments of personal reflection." Her work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally, and her solo exhibition, Found, opens at Maitland Regional Art Gallery on June 7. THERE are some exciting things happening in Devonshire Street with plans to breathe new life into the former Kurt's Coffee House. Mortgage broker Darby Franklin and operations manager Kris Saunders bought the property after it was passed in at auction last year. "I first noticed it on the internet and then I walked past it," Mr Saunders said. "It looked like a cool building, it has nice character about it." Despite the derelict appearance of the two-level property at 3 Devonshire Street, the pair discovered the building was, for the most part, structurally sound. "We want to keep it pretty much the same out the front, and we want to keep the aesthetic of the building," he said. While the opening might be 12 to 18 months away, the pair have already locked in Matt McFarlane for the project, who formerly ran the popular Carrington haunt Franky's Dumplings & Noodles. The beloved Chinese restaurant closed in March 2024. At the time, owner Mr McFarlane said he'd "run out of puff" after operating the business with his late business partner, Hua "Franky" Fan, since 2018. But it seems this new project in the heart of Newcastle has caught his attention. "It is definitely going to be Franky's style, but it is going to be something new," he told Newcastle Herald. "Friendly, casual, signature dishes with a small menu and live music. We will have to have a picture of Franky on the wall somewhere." Mr Franklin was a regular at the dumpling house and approached Mr McFarlane with a business proposition. "I was flattered," Mr McFarlane said. "It is going to be so much work, but I think it is great. I love what Bernie's are doing and I think it will be great to be part of that community." The building dates back to the early 1900s and operated as Kurt's Coffee Lounge from the 1970s to the 1990s. The first owner, Kurt Piccardi, was a well-known businessman and after whom the cafe was named. The plans for the new restaurant and small bar have been lodged with Newcastle council. They include a dining space downstairs for 20 patrons, a bar, toilets and commercial kitchen. Upstairs will be an open-plan dining area for 48 patrons within the building and a rebuilt balcony with insulated roof sheeting and louvre roof. When looking at a bird's-eye view of the building it is easy to see why the balcony needs to be rebuilt. "I love old buildings," he said. "It is a shell of a building, and we don't want to change it too much, but I really want to use the deck out the back." The property is zoned for mixed-use, and the team hopes the plans for a smaller venue will get the green light from the council. Most people already use apps to share rides, get food deliveries and organise their dating lives, but a service that matches people and businesses with places has recently cracked the Hunter market. Vennu is a platform that lists community assets and matches them with people seeking spaces for all kinds of activities and events. For example, the platform has partnered with Marine Rescue NSW, and one of the newest listings is the Marine Rescue Newcastle meeting rooms, which can be hired by other businesses that require a conference space. It is not just business suites and formal events either, Vennu has a collaboration with Screen NSW and hires out spaces and locations for filming. Glenworth Valley's 3000-acre wilderness Epworth House on the Central Coast is one of the sites listed for hire for film and television The platform is open to people who need venues for workshops, events, meetings, or creative projects. University of Newcastle Emeritus Professor Rick Middleton is now a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science. He is internationally renowned for his contributions to electrical engineering, having pioneered work on fundamental limitations in control system design and practical aspects of process control, telecommunications, power electronics and systems biology. Professor Middleton described the appointment as "a great honour" and thanked colleagues and students for creating the "amazing and rich intellectual environment that nurtured and supported my work". President of the Academy, Professor Chennupati Jagadish AC, said the new Fellows of 2025 represented the exceptional breadth and depth of Australian scientific excellence. "Each Fellow has made remarkable contributions in their field, demonstrating the vital role that science plays in addressing our most pressing challenges and expanding human knowledge," he said. With the election of the 26 new Fellows in 2025, the Australian Academy of Science Fellowship now stands at 638. Design lovers and treasure seekers have a new reason to visit the Hunter Valley. It's called The Trove, and it's a homewares and art collective housed at Leaves & Fishes in Lovedale. Blending global aesthetics with local character, The Trove is an ever-evolving collection of homewares, furniture, living plants and original artworks - each piece handpicked for its craftsmanship, story, and ability to transform a space. "We wanted to create a space that celebrates individuality and promotes sustainability," Kristy McGuigan said. She bought Leaves & Fishes with her husband, Aaron, in early 2023. "Every piece has been selected to reflect a sense of discovery and a global perspective, while staying true to the relaxed, earthy essence of Leaves & Fishes and the Hunter Valley." Hunter Valley artist Rebecca Rath's large-scale oil paintings have featured in The Trove's first exhibition, Of Land and Light, including pieces from her My Pokolbin, Hawkesbury and Wollemi series. "These paintings represent pivotal moments in my artistic journey," Ms Rath said. "Bringing them into a space designed for beautiful living feels like the perfect way to share their story." Ms Rath began her artistic journey at Hornsby TAFE in 1992 before completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) at UNSW. Her chosen medium is en plein air painting and drawing. "After moving from Sydney to the Hunter Valley over 20 years ago, my work naturally shifted toward painting landscapes," she said. "My practice is grounded in the act of finding, both literally and metaphorically. "I seek out landscapes that evoke stillness, tension, or transition - places where light shifts, seasons change, and the land sits on the edge of development. "These spaces offer both visual inspiration and moments of personal reflection." Her work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally, and her solo exhibition, Found, opens at Maitland Regional Art Gallery on June 7.
Time Out
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Join Luffy and crew at the new One Piece pop-up café in Singapore this June
Adventure awaits at the One Piece pop-up at Aniplus café, where Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates are ready to welcome you. The popular anime series comes to life in this fully decked-out space, filled with character standees, plushies, and iconic 'Wanted' posters. Snap some photos at the mini photo wall and strike a pose next to your favourite character's standee before tucking into themed food prepared by the café. The menu includes items such as Luffy's Straw Hat Crew Meal, a hearty rice plate with chicken, sausage, curly fries and rice shaped like his iconic hat. There's also Franky's Monster Burger, a juicy beef cheeseburger. Sweet tooths can go for Chopper's Sweets Lover, a rainbow cake topped with a Chopper-shaped icing cookie, or Nami's Tangerine Pancakes. Drinks are named after the crew too – Zoro is an apple green tea mocktail, Sanji is a lemonade, and Brook is an earl grey tea. Spend at least $15 on food to receive a special set of premiums, including a coaster and postcard. Fans can also shop a range of exclusive merchandise, from umbrellas and tote bags to T-shirts, cups and stationery. Spend $30 or more on merchandise and you'll walk away with a free holographic can badge.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Island Boys Franky Venegas Arrested 3 Years After SWAT Team Raid For Murder Suspect
Controversial Hip-hop star Franky Venegas, one-half of the rap duo Island Boys, has added two new crimes to his infamous record. The rapper recently found himself behind bars for allegedly breaking the law with drug and gun violations. Franky is no stranger to posing for mug shots and now has three unique pictures capturing his time in police custody. The Island Boys, twin brothers Alex and Franky Venegas, rose to fame as TikTok influencers in 2021 with their viral hit song, "I'm an Island Boy." However, fame did not stop their troubles with the law, as Franky's recent arrest comes three years after a SWAT team raided the duo's Florida home in search of a murder suspect. According to new reports, Franky was booked into the Collier County Jail in Naples after getting arrested for alleged gun and drug offenses. He was charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and to deliver, possess, or sell an altered firearm. A detailed report about his encounter with the law has not been revealed; however, TMZ obtained Franky's recent mugshot. The picture captured the rapper with his signature tattoos all over his face. Additionally, he rocked the unique wicks hairstyle signature to the Island Boys and flaunted his lavish grillz. Franky flashed a complete set of silver grillz in 2024 when he posed for a mugshot at the Broward County Jail. He was arrested in Fort Lauderdale on three charges: operating a motor vehicle without a valid license, false ID provided to a law enforcement officer, and reckless driving. A year before Franky was booked on driving-related offenses in Florida, he was apprehended by authorities for allegedly slapping his girlfriend and pushing her into a pool at their Airbnb in Pompano Beach. At the time, Franky's lover told cops that he assaulted her after she threatened to break up with him over his abusive behavior. Following the physical altercation, she was taken to a local hospital and treated for injuries to her chin, legs, and arms. Franky was initially booked for battery, but the case was later dismissed. Unlike his 2024 and 2025 mugshots, the rapper did not flaunt his grillz for the camera, nor did he rock his wick hairstyle. The battery incident came a year after Franky and his twin brother made waves for a SWAT raid. In 2022, The Blast covered the dramatic search for a murder suspect within the Island Boys' Florida home. Palm Beach County Sheriff's Department descended on Franky and Alex's rental property with a search warrant for a man named Andrew James Thomas. The suspect faced first-degree murder with firearm charges after an 8-year-old girl was killed during a drive-by shooting. Further investigations revealed Thomas was a childhood friend of the rap duo and might have been hiding in their home, hence the raid. Authorities were right on the money as SWAT team members found Thomas hiding in Alex and Franky's home. However, the brothers denied intentionally covering for him. They claimed they did not know about his crimes when he sought refuge in their home a few nights before the raid. According to the police report, Franky's twin did not withhold information from cops following the raid. He recalled the suspect ran towards him in a hallway of the house while carrying a black handgun with an extended magazine. The encounter allegedly occurred after SWAT team members entered the premises. Additionally, Alex told officers that Thomas ran into the laundry room with the gun but returned without it. Thanks to his information, cops found the weapon inside the laundry room closet, and the suspect was taken into custody on several charges related to the drive-by shooting. Franky and Alex's manager further reiterated their innocence in a statement, saying: "We had no idea any of this was going on, really. We just knew him as a quiet kid, and he would come and hang out and do his thing and go back to whatever he got going on, but we had no clue about any of these allegations toward him." According to the rap duo's manager, Alex cried after discovering Thomas' crimes. He noted the brothers would never have opened their door to the murder suspect if they knew what he had been running from. Nonetheless, Franky and his twin were no strangers to being on the wrong side of the law. The brothers once opened up about their dark childhood, revealing they did drugs as teenagers, including Percocet, forcing one of them to be hospitalized three times. Additionally, they have racked up charges of burglary, robbery, grand theft auto, and more. Fortunately, Franky and Alex's infamous rap sheet did not increase with charges related to the murder of 8-year-old Ronziyah' Biggs' Atkins. The little girl had been playing outside with her siblings and cousins when she was hit during the tragic drive-by shooting. Will Franky Venegas escape his latest run-in with the law?
