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Former UFC fighter Karl Roberson is facing charges in relation to a burglary that occurred late last year in New Jersey.
The Howell Township Police Department published a press release Saturday, announcing that two arrests were made in connection to a case of breaking and entering that took place on December 26, 2022.
Howell Township Police identified two suspects in burglary case
The police claim that over $200,000 in “exotic jewelry and valuables” were stolen from a home in Howell, a township in New Jersey that has a population of just over 50,000.
Surveillance footage captured last year showed two masked intruders breaking into a Howell Township property. Video and photos of the home invasion were shared online, and the homeowner offered a reward of $5,000 to anyone who could provide information that would lead to an arrest.
Detectives in the Howell Township Police Department launched an investigation into the burglary and eventually drafted arrest warrants for two suspects.
Karl Roberson arrested during traffic stop
Police arrested Roberson, 32, along with another suspect in March.
Roberson was arrested during a traffic stop executed by the police in Neptune, New Jersey last month. Per the press release, he was driving a car that officers believed was connected to the burglary investigation.
His vehicle was searched at the time, and police claim they found a defaced nine-millimeter handgun, cocaine, marijuana, and “items related to the burglary.”
The department says the former UFC talent was charged with “burglary, theft, criminal mischief, possession of the controlled dangerous substance and several weapons offenses.”
Dathan Thompson, 32, the other prime suspect in the burglary, was arrested at his home in Neptune. He was charged with burglary, theft, and criminal mischief.
Karl Roberson released on bail since arrest
In an interview with MMA Fighting, Howell Township Police Department lead detective Ryan Jackson confirmed that the Roberson they had arrested was the same one that had competed 10 times in the UFC: “I’m familiar with his UFC career. It is definitely the UFC fighter, I’m well aware of that,” he said.
Jackson also informed MMA Fighting that Roberson has since been released on bail.
Roberson fought in the UFC from 2017 to 2022. He faced notable opponents like Glover Teixeira, Marvin Vettori, and Khalil Rountree during his stint.
He joined the promotion after picking up a 15-second stoppage victory over Ryan Spann on Dana White’s Contender Series. Before then, Roberson had four wins as a pro, including two in notable regional promotion CFFC.
Roberson parted ways with the UFC last year after suffering his fourth consecutive loss in the promotion. He has not competed in MMA since.
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