Former UFC light heavyweight Karl
Roberson was arrested in connection with a residential burglary
resulting in the theft of more than $200,000 of jewelry and
valuables, according to a
release from the Howell Township Police Department.
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Roberson was arrested during a motor vehicle stop in Neptune, New
Jersey, while driving a vehicle that was connected to the burglary.
The vehicle was then searched and found to contain a defaced 9mm
handgun with an extended magazine, several packages of suspected
“crack cocaine,” marijuana and items related to the burglary. As a
result, Roberson was charged with burglary, theft, criminal
mischief, possession of controlled dangerous substance and several
weapons offenses.
MMAFighting.com confirmed Roberson’s identity with Detective
Ryan Jackson, who revealed that the fighter was released on bail
after being at the county jail for “two to three weeks.”
Roberson and another suspect, Dathan Thompson, were arrested for
breaking into a residence on West Farms Road on Dec. 26 by forcing
a rear door open. The suspects eventually went to the master
bedroom, where they stole more than $200,000 in jewelry and
valuables. According to the release, Roberson and Thompson were
caught on security surveillance cameras both inside and outside the
home but were wearing face masks and gloves to conceal their
identities.
According to the release, Jackson and Detective Anthony Romano
“conducted a comprehensive investigation utilizing advanced
training in technical applications and analysis of cellular data to
develop multiple suspects. After further investigation confirmed
the identities of the suspects, arrest and search warrants were
drawn up.” Thompson was arrested at his home without incident and
charged with burglary, theft and criminal mischief.
The 32-year-old Roberson’s last professional MMA bout came at UFC
on ESPN 39 on July 9, 2022, when he suffered a third-round
technical knockout loss to Kennedy
Nzechukwu. It was Roberson’s fourth consecutive defeat within
the Las Vegas-based promotion. The man known as “Baby K” earned a
UFC deal with a 15-second knockout of Ryan Spann on
Season 1 of Dana White’s Contender Series. He went on to win four
of his first six Octagon appearances before being released
following the aforementioned four-bout skid.