DNA Matches Man to Winter Haven Burglary

Published: Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 8:17 p.m. Last Modified: Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 8:17 p.m.

WINTER HAVEN | Deputies arrested a 41-year-old man Monday after DNA testing linked him to a May burglary in Winter Haven, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.

Todd William Clark, of 309 Lake Howard Drive NW in Winter Haven, is charged with burglary of an unoccupied structure and grand theft. He is accused of burglarizing Marc's Auto Repair and Thrift Store on May 19, and stealing more than $500 worth of items including a bicycle and DVDs.

Detectives found a pair of jeans, a shirt and a pair of socks in the bathroom of the store the night the burglary was reported. The clothing was sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for testing and returned in September. According to the Sheriff's Office, the DNA on the clothes matched Clark.

Clark told detectives in an interview that he had consumed alcohol and drugs the night of the crime, and that he "didn't remember" committing the burglary but he did remember the clothing he wore the night of the incident. His description matched the clothing that was found.

He added that he remembers being on Lake Howard Drive, near the store, the morning after the incident in nothing but boxer shorts.

Clark was booked into the Polk County Jail and released Tuesday on $2,000 bail.

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DNA Matches Man to Winter Haven Burglary