(BOZEMAN) William Anthony Rogers, who reportedly led law enforcement on a high-speed chase and was captured on Thursday near Maudlow in Gallatin County, is being held on a bond of more than $140,000.
Rogers, 30 years old, was captured after an early Thursday morning chase and search. Rogers was found to be hiding in the basement of a home occupied by a Bozeman Police sergeant.
Rogers is a suspect in Billings shooting that happened on November 14 and was taken into custody by police after the pursuit and search came to an end.
Rogers has been charged with burglary, criminal endangerment, and criminal possession of dangerous drugs, all felonies. He also faces charges in Yellowstone County.
According to charging documents, on Thursday, November 15, a Bozeman Police Officer was patrolling near a hotel when he saw a vehicle backed into a parking stall with temporary registration. The vehicle’s tag was found to be expired and a warrant was issued for the owner. The officer saw two people who appeared to be sleeping in the vehicle.
The man in the vehicle woke up and started the vehicle and accelerated out the parking lot. A Gallatin County Sheriff’s deputy saw the vehicle traveling on Springhill Lane at approximately 1:27 a.m. and attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver did not stop and a high-speed chase ensued, which ended shortly before 2 a.m. when the vehicle became stuck near Maudlow.
Rogers reportedly climbed over the passenger, Chelcie Watson, and ran away. Watson identified the driver as Rogers.
A K-9 search of the area was unsuccessful in locating Rogers. A search of the vehicle turned up a glass meth pipe, with baggies on the floorboard. A handgun was also found in plain view. When Watson was searched, law enforcement found a Hydrocodone pill and a black straw with meth residue.
After the vehicle was towed from the scene, Rogers reportedly made his way to a residence and forcibly entered the home, occupied by several people, making his way to the basement to hide from law enforcement.
One of the occupants of the home at the time was a Bozeman Police sergeant. The officer noticed the lock on the basement door was not how he had left it and told his wife to call 911.
When deputies arrived they were able to arrest Rogers in the basement without incident. Rogers told deputies he had climbed a tree after running away, and watched officers walk very near him and thought he would be caught.
The passenger, Chelcie Maryclaire Watson of Otter (Montana), 30 years old, has been charged with possession of dangerous drugs. She is being held on a $2,500 bail and was ordered to wear a drug patch.
In addition to the chase, Billings Police Lt. Brandon Wooley said Rogers is a suspect in a shooting that occurred in Billings in the early morning hours Wednesday, November 14, on the 900 Block of N. 23rd Street.
Rogers and Watson are scheduled to appear in court on December 7.
A 37-year-old Billings male was dropped off at Billings Clinic with a single handgun gunshot wound to his left lower body when possibly two gunshots were fired from an SUV, striking the victim.
Reported by Ken Spencer, Mederios Babb, and Andrea Lutz
