Brazen Jewelry Store Theft Solved With DNA From Fruit Cup: Police

YORKTOWN, NY — A bold theft was foiled by a snack cup left at the the scene of the crime, according to police.

The Yorktown Police Department says that a 39-year-old Yonkers resident was charged with felony third-degree grand larceny.

On April 22, of last year, around 7:10 p.m., Yorktown police officers went to Kay Jewelers after receiving a report of a theft.

The suspect had already fled, when police arrived on the scene. Investigators say the suspect asked to try on a gold chain, valued at $3,799 dollars, and ran out of the store once the employee handed him the necklace. He also left behind a fruit cup.

The suspect was later identified as Tyson Hanner after DNA recovered from the fruit cup matched with his DNA, according to police. An arrest warrant was applied for through the Yorktown Justice Court and was signed by the Honorable Judge Aviah Cohen-Pierson on November 29.

Last Thursday, the Westchester County Correctional Facility advised Yorktown police that Hanner was in their custody for unrelated charges.

He was then transported from the Westchester County Jail to Yorktown Police Department headquarters by the Westchester County Correctional Facility for arrest processing.

Hanner was arraigned and processed for the arrest, then released on his own recognizance to the Westchester County Jail.

He is scheduled to return to the Yorktown Justice Court on May 15.

This article was updated with additional details from the Yorktown Police Department.