Jewel Theft Suspect Trapped by Synthetic DNA
September 19, 21
(IDEX Online) - A suspected jewel thief was trapped after he was sprayed with invisible synthetic DNA.
He was arrested after a theft at at Truman Jewelers, Albany, New York, USA.
The technology, used to mark high-value items, has been used for several years in the UK, but is new to the USA.
Micro-dots of DNA remain on the culprit's skin and clothes for six weeks or more. They contain unique identifiers which match them to the stolen item.
Truman Jewelers is piloting SelectaDNA, from Florida-based CSI Protect, in a scheme that has the backing of the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police.
The suspect has been charged with third-degree grand larceny after $4,000 of jewelry was snatched from a glass cabinet while a staff member was in a back room.
"As a downtown business owner for over three decades, I'm committed to creating a safe and secure environment in which my customers can shop and my staff can work with peace of mind," store owner Paul Crabbe told the Times Union newspaper.
Video grab shows the suspect (face obscured for legal reasons).