DNA Left On Pop Bottle Ties Man To Wireless Store Robbery: Cops

ALSIP, IL —DNA left on a plastic pop bottle tied a Chicago man to a robbery at an Alsip wireless store last summer, prosecutors said. Deandre Ross, 48, of Chicago, appeared before Cook County Judge John Mahoney on a felony charge of aggravated robbery.

According to the complaint, Ross walked into the Cricket Wireless Store, 12254 S. Pulaski Road, Alsip, carrying a bottle of orange pop. When Ross asked to see an iPhone, the employee walked to the back room to get the product. The prosecutor said Ross followed the employee into the back room.

Ross allegedly twisted the employee’s arm. The employee told Ross she was pregnant. Police said Ross locked the employee in the bathroom by wedging a table against the door. She was able to force the bathroom door open 45 minutes later and called police. Ross is believed to have stolen a new iPhone valued at $800, the employees personal Samsung Galaxy phone valued at $700. The employee said the suspect wore a silver chain with a scorpion pendant.

Officers found a crushed pop bottle in the store. A DNA sample from the bottle was sent to the Illinois Crime Lab. The results returned to Alsip police on Oct. 19, which the prosecutor said matched Ross’s DNA. On Oct. 26, police obtained a warrant to take a swab from Ross. The prosecutor said the swab matched Ross’s DNA, and he was arrested. Officers said was Ross wearing a silver chain with a scorpion.

Ross is a convicted bank robber, he also served 31 months for possession of a controlled substance. The judge denied bond. Ross is due back in court Jan. 2 in Bridgeview.