Applied DNA Sciences, a provider of DNA-based security, anti-counterfeiting technology and product authentication solutions, announced that its SigNature DNA product has once again helped to send criminals to prison. Forensic evidence, including SigNature DNA-marked stolen cash from Loomis cash boxes, was used to link the criminals to a crime spree spanning eight cash-in-transit (CIT) crimes in th...
Applied DNA Sciences, a provider of DNA-based security, anti-counterfeiting technology and product authentication solutions, announced that its SigNature DNA product has once again helped to send criminals to prison. Forensic evidence, including SigNature DNA-marked stolen cash from Loomis cash boxes, was used to link the criminals to a crime spree spanning eight cash-in-transit (CIT) crimes in the United Kingdom. The sentences for the ten criminals total 53 years.
Detective Constable Will Roscoe, leader of Operation Tejat, an investigation launched by the Metropolitan Police Flying Squad based at the Barnes office, London said: "This was a prolific gang of robbers specifically targeting cash in transit vans and custodians. I have no doubt they would have continued this course of action if it were not for a detailed and targeted operation to identify and arrest them. Their convictions and sentences represent a significant success for the Barnes Flying Squad and the MPS in our Total War on Crime."
Cash in transit (CIT) businesses transport and store cash and service ATMs. In the UK alone, an estimated $784 billion is transported each year, or $2.2 billion per day. The nature of this business makes CIT an attractive target for criminals, and as a result the industry invests millions each year in security equipment and devices.
Attacks against CIT carriers in the UK has been reduced significantly over recent years due to the investments made in security and a close relationship between law enforcement agencies, customers and the industry. The impact of SigNature DNA has been notable in the CIT industry where APDN has been working with Loomis UK, a provider of specialist cash management services that use the most advanced security and technological solutions available.
As reported in the Guardian on July 27th, the now-convicted gang-of-10 stole more than $156,763 in eight robberies and attempted robberies of CIT vans in Mitcham, Streatham, Wallington and Croydon between January 3, 2011 and June 10, 2011. On all occasions, force was used against security guards to snatch cash boxes, which were later broken into and the cash contents stolen. Much of the cash was marked with SigNature DNA.
Detectives carried out surveillance and forensic work, leading to the arrest of the ten robbers on or shortly after August 24, 2011. Nine of the ten pleaded guilty to robbery at Kingston Crown Court. One pleaded not guilty but was convicted of conspiracy to rob.