Fingerprint on Candy Bar Leads to Arrest

A South Bethlehem man was linked to a car theft through a fingerprint police found on a candy bar wrapper left in the recovered vehicle’s front passenger seat, according to court records.

Kyle Dees, 18, of 1465 Ravena St., was arrested Thursday and charged with the April 6 theft of a white 1992 Nissan Sentra. The car had been left running, with the keys in the ignition, in front of the victim’s home at 1551 Irene St. after 3 p.m.

Police found the car parked in front of 1940 Lynfield Drive three days later, according to court papers.

The victim, Patricia Hargraves, was called to the scene and spotted a Turkey Hill shopping bag sitting in the front passenger seat that did not belong to her, the affest affidavit said. Inside the bag were two unopened Twix candy bars.

The candy was taken into evidence and a “clear, latent fingerprint” of Dees’ left ring finger was found on one of the wrappers, according to the court record.

Dees was charged with felony counts of theft and receiving stolen property, as well as a misdemeanor charge of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Bail was set at $1,000 by .