Man linked to three burglaries through DNA

By Paula Horton - Daily World Writer

Aberdeen Police used DNA left behind at a crime scene to link a 25-year-old Aberdeen man arrested last month to burglaries at two Aberdeen industrial companies in December and January.

The Grays Harbor Prosecutor’s Office charged Shawn R. Clark with two additional counts of burglary this week for breaking into Airgas, at 111 Commerce St., on Jan. 16, and Industrial Electric, at 2100 Industrial Road, on Dec. 17, Aberdeen Police Capt. Dave Johnson said.

Clark was already in custody after he broke into Sears on March 27, tripped the alarm and was caught inside.

Evidence was recovered at both scenes and Detective Bret Ellis was able to talk the crime lab into processing the items for DNA, Johnson said.

“The crime lab was able to extract the DNA of Shawn Clark from these items which linked him to both burglaries,” he said.

“The crime lab does not commonly process DNA evidence for property crimes due to their back log of crimes against person cases (rapes, robberies, assaults, murder and kidnapping) they have pending. Mr. Clark denies any involvement in the burglaries,” Johnson added.

Clark is suspected of breaking into Airgas and using power tools from inside the business to force open the safe. Money from the safe and industrial-style work clothing were stolen.

He is also suspected of being one of several suspects to steal about $14,000 worth of copper wire from Industrial Electric in December. The burglary was caught on video.

Police installed surveillance equipment at the business after suspecting a ring of burglars were targeting it to steal copper wire and sell it to recycling centers for cash.