Bubble Gum DNA IDs Culprits in Five-Year-Old $164,000 CU Heist

LENOIR, N.C. – A positive DNA match off an old piece of bubble gum is being credited by police with last week’s charges against three men believed to have robbed the Members’ CU branch here five years ago of $164,000. Investigators at the crime scene on May 28, 2002, found the wires to the alarm system had been cut and there was extensive damage to the safe. They also found a discarded paper towel with dried blood on it and chewing gum, which was stuck on the door lock to hold it in place. The blood and gum yielded DNA that matched a sample taken from Jackie Scarberry, who was arrested for a recent robbery at High Country Bank near here. Two other suspects have also been charged in the credit union heist; David McNeely, and Charles Hildebran.