A man from Brookings has been charged with two five-year old robberies thanks to science.
On June 20 of 2021, Brookings Police responded to the armed robbery of a convenience store. Police say a man had pointed a handgun at a cashier, demanded money and ran away — taking roughly $700 cash.
Police found discarded clothing, a mask and some electrical tape in a nearby garbage can. Those items were sent to the South Dakota Forensic Laboratory, and officials developed a DNA profile but could not identify the suspect.
In November 2021, another Brookings convenience store was robbed. A month later, the state lab notified police the DNA in that case matched with the earlier robbery.
Fast-forward to June 9th when the state laboratory matched the DNA from those cases with a man added to the FBI’s database for a drug offense — 49-year old Joseph M. Tomaszewski of Brookings who was then arrested.
State’s Attorney Dan Nelson said Tomaszewski posted bond and is currently out of jail awaiting trial.
Thanks KJJQ