Police say DNA evidence left at the scene of car vandalisms this summer led them to arrest a 17-year-old Culpeper boy on Monday.
Residents on East Evans, East Williams and North East streets awoke July 10 to find tires on their vehicles slashed and, in one case, windows broken out. The damage included a Chevrolet Blazer that had all four tires slashed and a Mercury sedan that had its ignition switch damaged. The damages totaled thousands of dollars, according to authorities.
The boy — police are withholding his name and any possible criminal history because he is a minor — was identified as a suspect early in the case. But police say they held off on charging him until they had more concrete evidence.
“The DNA is what made the case,” said Culpeper Police detective Susan Bartee, who investigated the crimes.
Blood and other evidence collected at the scenes were examined by the state forensic lab.
As a result of the DNA evidence, Bartee obtained six juvenile petitions — documents similar to adult arrest warrants — and charged the teen with misdemeanor destruction of property.
Detective Lt. Chris Settle said sound evidence collection and scientific analysis helped authorities solve the crimes.
It was not known Tuesday afternoon when the teen was scheduled to appear in court. Town spokesman Wally Bunker also said it was not clear if the boy remained in custody or had been released.
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