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Thirsty Burglar Drinks Victims' OJ, Leaves DNA For Cops To Find
By
Jen Chung
Published Jun 29, 2011
Modified Jun 29, 2011
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By
Jen Chung
Published Jun 29, 2011
Modified Jun 29, 2011
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Police were able to arrest a man who broke into a Chelsea apartment in 2009 because he took a swig of orange juice. According to the Post, James Moorer, 20, "helped himself to a container of orange juice from his victims' fridge, gulped it down and helpfully left the carton, laden with his DNA, on the countertop for cops to find."
The West 25th Street browstone's super Hanna Cheek said that the burglar kicked in a basement-window air-conditioner and then "allegedly found some keys in the basement and used them to enter" a first-floor apartment. Moorer was allegedly so noisy that Cheek thought he was working with others. Cheek called 911, and the cops' arrival scared off the suspect(s), but later on, someone returned to steal a tenant's computer, video camera, and still camera.
Cheek told the Post, "I've lived here all my life. We haven't been burglarized since the 1980s. It was probably just some kids who thought they could get away with it." Moorer, who was charged with burglary, "has a record of 12 prior arrests, including for grand larceny and assault, as well as several charges of selling pot."
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burglary
Chelsea
dna
orange juice
west 25th street
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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