Police: DNA evidence helped ID man who tunneled into Leechburg bank

DNA evidence helped police identify a man who they said made off with nearly $1,400 last year after tunneling into a Leechburg bank, according to a criminal complaint filed Thursday.

Carlin Mitchell Quinn, 27, of West Leechburg, is accused of stealing $1,371 from First Commonwealth Bank at 152 Main St. on Jan. 8, 2018 .

The complaint filed Thursday said Leechburg police Chief Jason Schaeffer obtained a search warrant to collect Quinn’s DNA in February of this year while Quinn was being held in Armstrong County Jail on charges related to a motor vehicle theft.

Testing at an FBI laboratory found that Quinn’s DNA matched DNA found on a black glove, clear surgical glove and white foam cup collected by Leechburg Patrolman Mark Pollick as he investigated the bank heist, the complaint said.

To gain access to the bank, Quinn broke into a neighboring vacant apartment through a back door, went through a small courtyard and then made a hole in a wall of the bank manager’s office, the complaint said. Money was taken from coin vaults behind several bank tellers’ counters, according to the complaint.

Schaeffer had said in April that DNA tests were underway. The results came back last month.

On Thursday, Schaeffer praised Pollick for “doing an outstanding job” on the investigation.

“We have continued to investigate this case diligently since the time of the incident and I am happy that our efforts resulted in charges being filed,” Schaeffer said in a statement.

Armstrong County District Attorney Katie Charlton said Schaeffer, Pollick and everyone involved in the investigation “did an outstanding job in handling the investigation, and I look forward to prosecuting the case.”

First Commonwealth Vice President Jon Longwill said the bank has made changes since the heist.

“The damage caused by the intruder has been repaired, and additional precautions have been made,” Longwill said Thursday.

Quinn was arraigned Thursday afternoon by District Judge James Andring on charges of burglary, theft, trespassing, mischief and receiving stolen property. He was being held in Armstrong County Jail in Kittanning on $25,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 11.