DNA Hit Leads To His Arrest
Genetic evidence retrieved from a ski mask left behind at the scene of a Ridgewood burglary last December led police to a Brooklyn man who was cuffed last Wednesday, Apr. 11, for his alleged role in the break-in, law enforcement sources said.
The suspect was identified by police as 20-year-old Jonathan Robles of Prospect Place in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn.
According to information provided by the Queens District Attorney’s office, the burglary took place between 1 p.m. on Dec. 14, 2011 and 12:35 a.m. at a residence located on Stanhope Street at Cypress Avenue.
Reportedly, the male victim was away from his home during those hours and, upon his return, spotted a man standing outside the entrance to the residence.
Seconds later, according to the criminal complaint, two other men were observed fleeing from the scene out the front door of the premises.
When the man entered the home, authorities noted, he found that the doorway as well as entryways leading to the basement and roof were damaged. Various electronic equipment had also been moved around the premises, it was reported.
Members of the 104th Precinct responded to the location along with members of the NYPD Queens North Evidence Collection Team.
During their investigation, law enforcement sources said, police recovered a ski mask from a chair in the basement which was subsemember quently brought to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for forensic analysis.
Criminalists at the OCME lab reportedly recovered from the mask DNA material which, upon further testing, matched a DNA sample provided by Robles to the state databank for a previous conviction, authorities said.
Following further investigation, members of the 104th Precinct Detective Squad tracked down Robles and took him into custody last Wednesday on charges of second-degree burglary, fourth-degree criminal mischief and attempted petit larceny.
According to court records, the suspect was arraigned last Thursday, Apr. 12, in Queens Criminal Court before Judge Michael Yavinsky, who ordered him held on $30,000 bail.
He is scheduled to return to court on Apr. 26.
