Posted by: jpeach@baltimorecountymd.gov

UPDATE (March 19, 2019 12:53 p.m.):

The Baltimore County Police Robbery Unit has released images from the High's surveillance video of suspect Rogge dressed in the unicorn costume during the armed robbery, as well as a photo of the discarded costume where it was recovered by police.

It should also be noted that the booking photo provided for suspect Rogge is from a 2017 arrest. No booking photo for this crime is available as he remains hospitalized in serious condition.

UPDATE (March 18, 2019 5:17 p.m.):

Baltimore County Police have charged two suspects in the armed robbery of High's Dairy Store on Long Green Pike early Saturday morning.

Jacob William Rogge (28) of the 7900 block of Bradshaw Road, 21156 is charged with armed robbery, robbery, first and second degree assault, theft, and destruction of property after robbing the High's store around 5 a.m. Saturday morning dressed in a full-body white and pink unicorn costume and wielding a crow bar, which he used to smash one of the registers when he demanded money from the employee.

Rogge fled with cash and cigarettes in a silver Hyundai Elantra driven by his accomplice, Joseph Philip Svezzese (27) of the 600 block of Thames Way, 21014. Svezzese is also charged with armed robbery, robbery and theft.

Officers responding to the call passed the silver Elantra which fit the description of the suspect vehicle. Before officers could turn around and stop the vehicle, it lost control and crossed over the oncoming traffic lane on Manor Road at Sweet Air Road, crashing into mailboxes, a BGE pole, shrubbery and finally a boulder, which redirected the vehicle back across Manor Road where it came to a stop after striking a tree.

Both suspects were transported to area hospitals with serious injuries. Svezzese was treated and released and is held without bail pending a bail review hearing. Rogge remains hospitalized in serious condition, receiving an initial bail hearing this afternoon resulting in no bond status.

Evidence was recovered at the scene of the crash linking the suspects to the robbery. The unicorn costume was discarded prior to the crash but later recovered by police off the side of the roadway in some bushes.

Original Release (March 16, 2019 12:32 p.m.):

Baltimore County Police are investigating an armed robbery this morning involving a suspect who was wearing a unicorn costume.

Officers responded to a call for an armed robbery at the High’s store in the 13500 block of Long Green Pike just after 5 a.m. with a suspect described as being dressed as a unicorn and armed with a crowbar. Police also received information that the suspect fled the location in a silver passenger vehicle.

While responding to the scene officers passed a silver passenger car heading in the opposite direction on Glen Arm Rd. Officers turned around to catch up and make an investigative stop on the vehicle but instead found the vehicle had already become involved in a single vehicle crash in the 14200 block of Manor Rd.

Two occupants of the vehicle were transported to an area hospital with serious injuries sustained during the crash. Detectives of the Baltimore County Police Criminal Investigations Bureau, Robbery Unit, are continuing to investigate their involvement in the robbery. This is currently an active investigation.