DNA samples are tested in the forensic institute in North Rhine-Westphalia.
A crowbar gives the game away
DNA evidence from a tool led to the arrest in Austria of a Romanian who broke open an ATM in Sevelen (SG). His accomplice was arrested in Denmark.
"In ATM robbery cases, it's not the suspects being questioned that speak, but the DNA and fingerprints," explain experienced investigators. This is illustrated in the case of Sevelen (SG), a peaceful village a few dozen kilometres from St Gallen. The perpetrator of the spectacular ATM robbery, who had been on the run for several months, left DNA evidence on a crowbar.
On the night of 12 December 2019, a deafening explosion rang out. The blast of the dangerous TATP explosion left an ATM completely destroyed. The attackers broke into the safe and helped themselves to what they found, then made off with CHF 126,600 in loot. A few hours after the crime, investigators found a screwdriver and two crowbars hidden behind a bush. DNA evidence was discovered on one of the crowbars. In their investigations, the St Gallen cantonal police established a link between these tools and the ATM explosion. Paint and rust from the crowbars were found at the crime scene.
The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) took over the case, and fedpol investigated. The DNA collected was used to establish a DNA profile which was then entered in the national DNA profile database
The search did not generate any matches. Information was also exchanged with Europol, through the European Working Group, who linked the DNA to an individual known to Europol for other types of crime in a number of European countries. The Office of the Attorney General and fedpol issued an international warrant for his arrest on SIS, with a view to his extradition.
The DNA evidence from the crowbars also matched another DNA profile. Was it that of the accomplice? It certainly was. Interestingly, the same profile was found in the DNA taken following a similar attack involving explosives in the canton of Zurich on 20 December 2019. The accomplice is also registered in the SIS.
After several months on the run, the main suspect was apprehended on 19 June 2020 in Bregenz, Austria. He was arrested and extradited and is now in custody in Switzerland. His accomplice is also in prison, having been arrested by the Danish police for a different crime, for which the investigation is ongoing. The success of this case is not only due to good DNA samples; strong international cooperation was also vitally important. To be continued.