DNA used to solve 2017 burglary

Sheriff’s Office Detectives used DNA evidence to solve a 2017 vehicle burglary in which thousands of dollars were stolen.

On Wednesday, 22-year-old Eric St. Clair Howard of Miami-Dade County was arrested on three warrants for burglary, grand theft and violation of probation.

The incident occurred on Nov. 14, 2017 in Islamorada on the 200 block of E. Carroll St. The window of a locked 2004 Kia Sorento was smashed and $2,700 in cash in an envelope tucked between the driver’s seat and center console was stolen.

A small amount of dried blood was left on the SUV door. Detectives obtained samples of that blood and sent it to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement crime lab, which confirmed in March 2018 the blood came from Howard.

Warrants were issued for Howard’s arrest and he was booked into jail on Wednesday.

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