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ROGAN |
An intensive half-day search for a 39-year-old man who vowed to kill police officers and others was peacefully resolved Wednesday after the suspect walked up to an officer and surrendered.
John D. Rogan is currently lodged in the Logan County Jail for desertion from the Army and two counts of theft of firearms.
Bellefontaine Police Chief Brandon Standley reports detectives began looking for Rogan around 2:20 p.m. after they were advised he might be in the area. They learned he allegedly had stolen two guns from a Township Road 179 residence.
As part of the investigation, Rogan, who was considered armed and dangerous, was tracked down in the area of Euclid Street and Florence Avenue around 4:40 p.m.
Dispatcher notes indicate he vowed he would not be taken alive, and that if officers got near him, he would come out with guns fully loaded in both hands.
Officers stayed out of the area as plans were made to evacuate residents from 725 Euclid and set up a perimeter around the area in the evening.
The department’s Special Response Team was called in and the team approached a target house around 7 p.m.
Rogan was reluctant to surrender at first, but authorities were able to establish communication with him.
Around 7:20 p.m., he walked out of outbuilding in the vicinity. and peacefully surrendered to Lt. Rick Herring.
A stolen handgun was recovered his hiding place.
Chief Standley said family members had told detectives Rogan was possibly suicidal and was thinking of killing others.
He said Rogan was a “desperate individual” and he praised the efforts of the officers.
“We are especially thankful for no one being hurt during this standoff,” the chief said. “I am especially proud of my staff tonight in braving the frigid temperatures to protect our citizens from a very dangerous individual and bringing it safely to a peaceful conclusion.”
Chief Standley noted deputies of the Logan County Sheriff’s Office and troopers of the Marysville Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol provided support in the city as his department dealt with Rogan.
Rogan has reportedly overdosed on drugs twice in the past month: once here and a second time in the Cincinnati area.
Those incidents came to the attention of Army officials who then reached out to local police.