A 52-year-old Vancouver man has been arrested for a series of break-ins spanning the last decade.
DNA evidence has linked at least 11 residential break-and-enters on Vancouver’s West Side between 2005 and 2016. In many of these cases, the suspect smashed windows and skylights to enter the homes and steal items. Officers investigating the crimes at the time located and collected evidence that allowed for DNA analysis.
The most recent sample was submitted to the lab in May 2016, and it matched the same offender from 10 other unsolved break-ins. VPD Property Crime investigators identified a suspect, gathered additional evidence, and were able to confirm a DNA match.
“Reducing property crime remains a priority for the VPD, and modern-day science is helping us make a difference,” says VPD Constable Jason Doucette. “We also rely on residents to record their property’s serial numbers and unique features to increase the chance of getting their property back if it’s stolen. It also increases the odds a thief may be arrested and charged if they are caught with that property.”
Darcy Paul Knape of Vancouver has been arrested and charged with nine counts of break-and-enter and remains in custody. The investigation continues into the remaining two offences.
Visit VPD’s Log it or Lose it campaign for more information and useful crime prevention tips. http://vancouver.ca/police/crime-prevention/log-it-or-lose-it.html
