London Theft Suspect Arrested via DNA on Lost Shoe

Spencer Duarte, 28, was arrested and pleaded guilty to theft after being caught in London for snatching a phone from a victim's hand while riding an e-bike. The pivotal piece of evidence was a shoe he lost during a scuffle with members of the public who tackled him; DNA recovered from the shoe matched Duarte's profile in the national DNA database. CCTV footage captured Duarte riding with one shoe after escaping the immediate confrontation, where he also dropped a backpack containing items commonly used by thieves to foil detection, such as kitchen foil. Police located and arrested Duarte weeks later, and he appeared at Inner London Crown Court where he admitted to the theft and being equipped to steal. City of London Police emphasized their commitment to targeting phone thieves and ensuring justice for victims, highlighting the effective use of forensic science and public vigilance in this case. Duarte is scheduled for sentencing on September 12.