Burglar jailed for Cambridge shop raids after leaving DNA on beer can

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 2 Nov, 17:26 · Archive

Darren Scales, 57, was jailed for a year after admitting four burglaries and three shop thefts across Cambridge.

Darren Scales, 57, of no fixed address, was jailed for a year at Cambridge Magistrates' Court on Friday, October 30, after admitting four burglaries and three shop thefts. He was caught after leaving DNA on a beer can at Café Au Chocolat, where he smashed through the front door on Green Street on September 1 and stole £150 from the till.

Scales also broke into Custom Ink Tattooing on Victoria Avenue, where he stole a cashbox containing more than £750, and was caught on CCTV. On September 30, he stole £500 worth of vapes from a shop in King's Parade. On 4 October, he stole meat and alcohol from Tesco, Marks and Spencer and Co-op. On 15 October, he broke into Waterstones on Sidney Street, forcing his way into the tills and stealing charity boxes.

PC Samantha Chapman, from the Acquisitive Crime Team, said the evidence of CCTV and the beer can left behind had proved valuable. She added that burglary has a real impact on businesses through financial loss, damage and disruption.

How it is being reported

• Burglar jailed after leaving DNA on beer can at Cambs crime sceneA burglar who smashed his way into Café Au Chocolat in Cambridge has been jailed after leaving DNA on a beer can at one of the crime scenes.Ely Standard · 2 Nov, 16:49
• Burglar jailed after leaving DNA on beer can at Cambs crime sceneA burglar who smashed his way into Café Au Chocolat in Cambridge has been jailed after leaving DNA on a beer can at one of the crime scenes.Cambs Times · 2 Nov, 16:49

In this story: Darren Scales · Cambridge · Cambridgeshire Police · Café Au Chocolat · Waterstones

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