Ex-UFC Fighter Karl Roberson Arrested in Connection with Residential Burglary

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.

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.