High's Robbed By Unicorn, Bel Air Man Among Two Charged: Police

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — A Bel Air man is one of two suspects charged in the armed robbery of a High's store in Baltimore County over the weekend. Police said the Harford County man was the getaway driver, and his accomplice robbed the convenience store while wearing a full-body unicorn costume.

Joseph Philip Svezzese, 27, of the 600 block of Thames Way in Bel Air, is charged with armed robbery; robbery; and theft from $1,500 to under $25,000.

The charges stem from an armed robbery at the High's store in the 13500 block of Long Green Pike after 5 a.m. on Saturday, March 16. The person who called for help described the suspect as someone dressed in a unicorn costume who was armed with a crowbar, according to authorities.

Police said Jacob William Rogge, 28, of the 7900 block of Bradshaw Road in Upper Falls, was clad in a full-body white and pink unicorn costume when he entered the convenience store, smashed a register with a crowbar and demanded money from an employee.

Rogge left with cash and cigarettes, officials said. He has been charged with armed robbery; robbery; first and second-degree assault; theft from $1,500 to under $25,000; and malicious destruction of property.

After the robbery, police allege that Svezzese picked up Rogge in a silver Hyundai Elantra and passed officers on Glen Arm Road who were responding to the incident.

Before the officers could turn around and stop the car, authorities said the Elantra lost control, crossed into oncoming traffic on Manor Road at Sweet Air Road and crashed in a tree in the 14200 block of Manor Road.

Before coming to rest, police reported the car hit mailboxes, a BGE pole, shrubbery and a boulder, which ricocheted the car back across Manor Road.

The crash site is about 5 miles from the High's store.

Evidence at the scene of the crash connected the suspects to the High's store robbery, police reported. Officials said they found the unicorn costume in some bushes along the roadside, and police believe the suspects tossed it before the crash.

Both Rogge and Svezzese were taken to area hospitals with serious injuries, police said.

Svezzese was released after receiving treatment and is being held without bail, according to officials. He has a preliminary hearing in Baltimore County District Court on April 12.

Police said a judge ruled during an initial hearing Monday afternoon that Rogge — who was still hospitalized in serious condition as of Monday evening — would be held without bail.

_{Photo courtesy of Baltimore County Police Department.}