By Sara QuamA crime scene investigation involving DNA testing resulted in Christopher Lee Virkus pleading guilty to third-degree burglary.According to the sentence order, signed Oct. 25, Virkus, Luverne, has been placed on probation for five years and will spend 120 days in jail. He will also pay a $1,065 fine and pay $407 restitution to Smooky’s Pizza. According to court records, Virkus, then 20, broke into Smooky’s Pizza March 15 and got away with about $120 in cash.But in the process, he left behind blood from glass that cut his hand when he broke the door. This key evidence, combined with clues that the burglar was an employee, led to Virkus’ arrest.According to Investigator Jeff Wieneke, Smooky’s owners Richard and Brenda Latten suspected the burglar was someone familiar with the business because it appeared the cash machine was opened by someone who knew the till.Also, a tin can with $60 cash was missing. It was kept in the back of a closet, where only an employee would know of its location. Based on recommendations from the Lattens, four Smooky’s employees were questioned as potential suspects.They all submitted DNA samples which were turned over to state crime labs to test for a match on the blood found on the cash register.When questioned, Virkus voluntarily submitted to a saliva sample for DNA testing.Wieneke told Virkus that his DNA matched the blood collected at the crime scene, and Virkus admitted to the crime. In criminal investigations, the state pays for the cost of DNA testing, which is being used more often in Rock County, especially for prosecuting sexual assaults.
