DNA from blood spot results in arrest

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS -- Police used DNA from a speck of blood to find a man suspected of taking $82,000 worth of jewelry from an Englewood Cliffs home.

On Wednesday, police arrested Pedro Cruz, 38, at his Haledon home and charged him with burglary and theft.

Cruz then confessed to the May 20 break-in, said Deputy Police Chief Michael Cioffi.

Police believe Cruz cut himself while smashing through the sliding doors of the home on Sara Hill Lane, or while jimmying open a small safe in the master bedroom.

A spot of blood on the safe was sent to the state for analysis. A DNA match with Cruz came back.

Cruz allegedly took $1,200 in cash from the safe.

He was transferred to the Bergen County Jail, and bail was set at $125,000.