Telltale Beer Bottle Matches Fugitive Burglar's DNA: Prosecutor

TINLEY PARK, IL -- An East Chicago, IN man was charged with burglary after Tinley Park police matched his DNA to evidence left at the scene of a residential break-in in 2016, prosecutors said. Michael Lynn, 46, was arrested on an outstanding warrant. Lynn also has warrants out of Lansing and another in Lake County, IN, for burglary.

According to the complaint, a resident came home on June 16, 2017 and discovered that someone had kicked in her back door. About $1,000 worth of jewelry and electronics were missing from the home. The burglar had also apparently enjoyed a beer while rummaging through the home, the prosecutor said. Tinley Park police collected the empty bottle and sent it to the Illinois State Police Crime Lab.

The prosecutor said results of DNA testing matched Lynn. He has six prior felonies, including a conviction for burglary in 2009, when he was sentenced to eight years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

The assistant public defender told the judge that Lynn is engaged and has a health problems. Bail was set at $100,000. Lynn is due back in court March 1 in Bridgeview.