Case # 17HF0580
Date: May 4, 2017
MAN IDENTIFIED THROUGH OCDA RAPID DNA PROGRAM CHARGED WITH RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY OF IRVINE HOME
*Defendant had been out of custody for six weeks following burglary charges in Newport Beach
SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man identified through the Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) Rapid DNA Program was charged with the burglary of an Irvine home six weeks after posting bond for charges related to a Newport Beach residential burglary.
|
Defendant |
Charges |
Maximum Sentence |
Court Date |
|
Leopoldo Juarez, 23, Pacoima |
Sentencing enhancements
Prior Convictions
|
Nine years in state prison |
To be determined
The defendant has a warrant for $500,000 |
Circumstances of the Case
- At the time of the crime, the defendant had been released from custody on $100,000 bail while facing charges for a 2016 residential burglary in Newport Beach.
- On the afternoon of April 20, 2017, Juarez is accused of smashing the rear sliding door of a home in Irvine while the owners were away.
- The defendant is accused of burglarizing the home and stealing over $5,000 of jewelry and other property.
- Juarez is accused of leaving blood on multiple surfaces in the residence, including doors and walls, from an injury sustained while breaking the rear door.
- Irvine Police Department (IPD) responded, collected blood evidence, and investigated this case when the homeowners reported the crime.
- On April 21, 2017, IPD submitted blood samples from the scene to the OCDA Rapid DNA program.
- The same day, the DNA profile from the blood sample was matched to Juarez’ DNA profile and OCDA DNA Unit Investigators provided IPD with suspect identification information.
Prosecutor: Deputy District Attorney Andrew Katz, DNA Unit
Rapid DNA Program
The Rapid DNA program merges the power of the Local OCDA DNA Database with cutting edge DNA technology to provide investigators with leads, including suspect names, within hours of a crime. The program launched in 2015 and is available to all local law enforcement. The IntegenX RapidHIT 200 DNA instrument, which was validated for use with the assistance of the Orange County Crime Lab (OCCL), can generate a DNA profile from evidence collected at a crime scene in less than two hours. If suitable, that crime scene DNA profile is searched against the Local OCDA DNA Database, which was established in 2007 and is now the largest consensual DNA database in the country. The Rapid DNA program is supported by Proposition 69 funding and is a collaborative effort among the OCDA, OCCL and local law enforcement to harness the power of science and technology to promote justice and enhance public safety.