DNA Nabs Burglar 1 Year After Felony Crime: Des Plaines PD

DES PLAINES, IL — A key and several other items recovered from a January 2023 burglary, which were tested for DNA by the Illinois State Police Crime Lab, have led to the arrest of a Des Plaines man for the felony crime. Nebojsa Zecevic, 58, of the 100 block of Grove Avenue, is accused of burglary and was arrested last Thursday.

On Jan. 14, 2023, police responded to a report of a burglary at a business in the 1500 block of E. Oakton Street that had occurred overnight. They found glass from the front door shattered by a piece of concrete. During the subsequent investigation, police learned $330 had been taken from a cash register.

In addition, police found a key on the ground that had previously been in the lock on the register. They believe it had been removed by someone during the burglary. The key and other items were sent to the Illinois State Police Crime Lab for testing.

On Oct. 26, 2023, the lab report for the ISP Crime Lab indicated that DNA from the key was a match for Zecevic, according to police. The investigation continued until Zecevic's eventual arrest.