DNA match leads to arrest, major haul of suspected stolen items

LEBANON, OR (KPTV) -

DNA evidence led to an arrest and a major haul of suspected stolen goods nearly a year after a burglary was first reported in Lebanon.

Deputies were called out to a home on Stoltz Hill Road on May 9, 2013. The caller reported that their neighbors were out of state and someone had broken into their home.

When the victims returned home, it was determined that more than $67,000 worth of property had been stolen, including 10 guns, an ATV, a large coin collection, U.S. savings bonds, jewelry, home electronics, chainsaws, hunting equipment and tools.

Deputies seized evidence and sent it to the Oregon State Police Crime Laboratory to be checked for possible DNA.

The crime lab reported finding DNA on the evidence but found no match in the database. The DNA profile was stored in the state and national DNA databases and periodically searched as new samples came in.

On April 29, 2014, a match was found, linking the DNA evidence to William Driskill, 35, of Lebanon.

On Tuesday, a search warrant was served at his home on the 600 block of E Street. Deputies said they recovered a gun and coins believed to be from the May 2013 case.

In addition, deputies said they found plenty of other suspected stolen items, including antiques, a specialized competition mountain bike, a car dolly and construction tools like concrete saws, air compressors and a cutting torch.

Metal believed to be stolen was also found on the property, including titanium, industrial stainless steel pipe and burnt copper wire.

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DNA match leads to arrest, major haul of suspected stolen items