Delaware State Police
News Release

DSP News Release: Thursday, January 08, 2009- Detective’s Diligence Pays Off Two Years Later… Burglary Case Cleared with DNA Evidence

Location of Incident: Silverside Liquors, 1401 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington, Delaware, New Castle County

Date and Time of Occurrence:  February 9^th, 2007 and February 18^th, 2007

Suspects:  Robert W. Kleb, Jr., 28, of Walnut Lane in Wilmington, Delaware

Resume: In February of 2007, detectives from State Police Troop 2 were assigned to handle two burglaries which occurred a little over a week apart at the Silverside Liquors in Wilmington.  In the beginning of the investigation, the case was slow going; however, the diligence of the detectives paid off.

On Tuesday, January 7^th, detectives arrested Robert Kleb for burglarizing Silverside liquors. It is believed that, on both occasions, Mr. Kleb used a brick to damage the front glass window to the business to gain entry. Once inside, Kleb allegedly stole cigarettes and alcohol. 

During the burglary which occurred on January 18^th, Kleb apparently cut himself and ultimately left blood behind at the scene.  This evidence was collected and the State Medical Examiners Office was able to confirm the DNA from the blood obtained during this investigation matched that of Mr. Kleb. 

Armed with an arrest warrant, as mentioned above, Mr. Kleb was formally arrested and charged Tuesday the 6th with two counts each of: Burglary (felony), Theft (misdemeanor) and Criminal Mischief (misdemeanor).  He was processed at the Howard Young Correctional Institute where he was already being held on unrelated charges.  Bail was set at $6,000.00 unsecured. 

Robert Kleb