A BURGLAR was caught by police after his DNA was found on a vending machine he stole food from.
Robert Askew broke in to the Archery Club, in Durham, by smashing a window and forced open the vending machine.
He took £100 worth of food and coins to the value of around £100 during the break in, which happened overnight on April 23. Officers from Durham Constabulary’s Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) attended the scene took a swab of blood found on the vending machine.
The DNA was analysed in a laboratory and came back as a match for 33-year-old Askew, of Wood View, Esh Winning.
He was subsequently arrested and charged with burglary following an investigation by the newly-formed Durham City Crime Team.
Detective Sergeant Sarah Hindmarsh said: “This was an excellent piece of work from the Durham City Crime Team and CSI to apprehend Askew, who is a prolific offender in Durham.
“It also shows that, despite the current pandemic, we are still working hard to tackle criminality and catch offenders.”
Askew appeared before magistrates at Newton Aycliffe where he was jailed for four weeks.
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