A man who pleaded guilty to burglarizing homes in Montgomery County was caught after he left behind an empty can of soda on a kitchen counter.
A woman who asked not to be identified told News4's Darcy Spencer she came home one evening and found her Rockville, Md. home had been ransacked. The sliding glass door had been smashed.
"I was in shock," she said. "It was horrifying to see what lengths someone would go to get into someone's house to take their belongings."
As she surveyed her remaining belongings, she noticed something out of place -- an empty can of root beer sat on the kitchen counter. The burglar had drank it and left behind the can with his DNA.
The DNA matched Tyrone Bean, who was charged with burglarizing the woman's home and several others in the Rockville area.
"We count on criminals to make a false move, make a mistake," Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office spokesman Ramon Korionoff said. "That led to his downfall."
Prosecutors say Bean entered several apartments through utility closets in their buildings. He cut holes in drywall and crawled into apartments.
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Bean pleaded guilty to burglary on Wednesday and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
"Justice was served," the victim said.
