Armed Man Stole Dog From Hillsborough Home, Arrested: Police

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — A Pennsylvania man who had a gun was arrested after police say he burglarized a Hillsborough home and stole the homeowner's dog before leading police on a chase.

The incident happened on Monday at about 11:20 a.m. when a 911 call to Hillsborough Police reported a man, later identified as Nico Rogers, 31, of 8th Avenue, Irwin, Pa., was seen entering a Wertsville Road home without permission before returning to his car, according to Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson.

When police put on their car lights and used a megaphone to signal Rogers to stop his car, he reportedly fled onto Wertsville Road driving in the wrong direction on the opposite lane at police "jeopardizing the safety of the officers involved", said Robertson.

Once stopped, Rogers got out of his car with a handgun in his left hand. Police ordered him to drop it and he was then arrested, said Robertson.

The homeowner's dog and personal belongings could be seen in Rogers' car, said Robertson.

An investigation found that the homeowner knew Rogers.

Rogers was charged with second-degree eluding, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and third-degree burglary. Rogers was taken to a local hospital for an evaluation.

Rogers will be lodged at the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing in this matter at the completion of his evaluation.

Anyone with information relating to this burglary/eluding is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Hillsborough Township Police Department at 908-369-4323 or via the STOPit app.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

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