Unicorn Robs High's, Two Men Charged: Baltimore County Police

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — Two men have been charged in the armed robbery of a High's store on Long Green Pike over the weekend. Police said one was wearing a unicorn costume at the time of the holdup. The costume was recovered by the side of the road after the suspects made their getaway, which ended in a serious crash that sent both the unicorn and his driver to the hospital, authorities reported.

Officers were initially dispatched for a report of 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.

Jacob William Rogge, 28, of the 7900 block of Bradshaw Road in Upper Falls, is charged with armed robbery; robbery; first and second-degree assault; theft from $1,500 to under $25,000; and malicious destruction of property.

Police said Rogge was wearing 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.

He left with cash and cigarettes in a silver Hyundai Elantra, according to officials, who identified his getaway driver as Joseph Philip Svezzese, 27, of the 600 block of Thames Way in Bel Air.

Svezzese is charged with armed robbery; robbery; and theft from $1,500 to under $25,000.

After the robbery, police allege the Elantra passed officers on Glen Arm Road as they 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 the 14200 block of Manor Road. Before coming to rest upon hitting a tree, 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.

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.

As of Monday evening, police reported that Rogge was still hospitalized in serious condition. A judge ruled during an initial hearing Monday afternoon that he would be held without bail.

Police said that evidence at the scene of the crash connected the suspects to the High's store robbery.

Officials said they found the unicorn costume in some bushes along the roadside, and police believe the suspects tossed it before the crash.