Man With Police Gear Arrested After Multi-County Pursuit

Miles Ruder,

MONROE, N.C. – A man is in custody Wednesday after he was found to be in possession of stolen police gear and led a multi-county car chase in a stolen vehicle, according to the Monroe Police Department.

Around 11:45 p.m. Tuesday, officers located a Toyota Camry with a fake license plate. 

As officers attempted to make a traffic stop, the driver, Roger Desmond Burns, intentionally hit the patrol car and fled the area, leading to a chase, officials said.

The pursuit, involving Monroe police and Union County deputies, went into Mecklenburg County on I-485 and then onto Providence Road. 

Police said Burns was driving very recklessly at high speeds, running red lights and driving into oncoming lanes. Also during the chase, Burns was throwing bags out his window that contained methamphetamine and fentanyl.

On Providence Road, deputies performed a forced vehicle stop to disable the vehicle and end the chase.

Upon arrest, Burns was found to be possessing stolen police gear, including a bullet proof vest, handcuffs, police patches, an agent’s credentials, a replica handgun, holster, and removable strobe lights, officials said.

Police also learned that the vehicle Burns was driving was reported stolen out of York County. The bags of illegal narcotics were recovered, as well.

Burns was arrested and taken to the Union County Detention Center. He is being charged with the following:

  • Assault With Deadly Weapon on a Government Official
  • Alter, Destroy Or Steal Evidence Of Criminal Conduct
  • Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle
  • Trafficking in Opiates
  • Possession of Methamphetamine
  • Possess Drug Paraphernalia
  • Reckless Driving To Endanger
  • Speeding To Elude Arrest

He is being held on a $750,000 secured bond.