Man Broke Into Ex-Girlfriend's Home To Kill Her, Poisoned Pet Dog

Representational image of a man in handcuffs. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

A man from Henderson, Kentucky, was charged Monday after he attempted to kill his ex-girlfriend in Illinois in April.

According to Detective John Nevels, the investigation into the case began after officials at Henderson received information from the sheriff's office in Marion, Illinois, on April 24 stating that 45-year-old Jacob Roderick had broken into a house.

"They told us that they believed he had come to Kinmundy, Illinois, in the early hours of April 24, where he allegedly broke into an ex-girlfriend's house, poisoned her dog and stole some items from her house," Nevels said.

He added that though the unnamed woman was not at home when the incident took place, they had evidence to prove Roderick broke into the home to kill her.

Deputies with the sheriff's office in Marion traveled to Henderson three days after the incident when they received information that he was staying at a motel. Officials were attempting to obtain a search warrant for his room when one of them, who had the room under surveillance, saw the accused getting into his car at the parking lot. When the officer tried to arrest Roderick, he resisted and started assaulting the officer.

"When I attempted to handcuff him, he pulled away and began physically fighting," Detective Lawrence said in April. Two motel employees then helped Lawrence subdue Roderick, during which the accused bit one of them. Finally, Henderson police and sheriff's deputies arrived on the scene and took Roderick into custody. He was initially charged with assaulting a police officer.

Nevels said he was charged with attempted murder Monday after officials obtained a search warrant and searched his motel room after his arrest.

"Based on what we found in the room and on statements he made to acquaintances, we charged him with attempted murder,” Nevels said, adding he could not comment about the evidence that was found. The investigation was ongoing and Roderick was held at the Henderson County jail on a $2,750 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court June 25.