Burglary suspect’s DNA found on cigarette at scene
Posted on Thursday, June 26, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/News/66564/
A cigarette butt left at a crime scene three years ago led Fayetteville police to a burglary suspect.
Juan Nunez, 33, of 4125 Parsons Road in Springdale, faces felony charges involving five counts of breaking or entering and one count each of commercial burglary and theft of property.
Nunez allegedly entered the Lighting Supply Inc., 1610 Office Drive, Fayetteville, on August 23, 2005, by breaking through the business’ wall. Once inside, he allegedly entered an office and removed a small amount of cash.
Investigators responded to the scene and reported finding a cigarette butt believed to belong to the suspect. The evidence was submitted to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for analysis.
According to a preliminary arrest report, the lab located Nunez’s DNA on the cigarette butt.
“ At that time, the crime lab had a larger backlog than it does now, ” Fayetteville Detective Jason French said. “ When we identified Nunez as the suspect, he couldn’t be located for a long time. ”
Nunez is also suspected of being connected to at least five vehicle break-ins reported on July 16, 2005. During each of the thefts, he allegedly gained access by breaking a window or opening an unlocked door. He allegedly removed stereos, electronic equipment and other items. During the investigation, police obtained several blood samples left by the suspect. The samples were submitted to the state crime lab, which later linked Nunez to the crimes.
“ It’s unusual to get that many hits from one person back from the crime lab, ” French said.
Fayetteville investigators learned that Nunez was being held Tuesday in the Washington County Detention Center on unrelated charges of failure to pay fines and costs out of Johnson and violation of probation out of Washington County. He was also being held on a warrant out of Rogers. He was subsequently arrested on the burglary, theft, and breaking or entering charges.
Nunez remained in the county jail Wednesday night on a $ 14, 740 bond.