Police say DNA led to an arrest of a suspect who attacked and burglarized a 91-year-old Fort Lauderdale woman last month.
Ryan C. Pearl, 21, has been arrested and charged with burglary with battery in the Aug. 24 incident, Fort Lauderdale Police said Monday.
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According to police, the elderly woman was asleep in her home in the 1300 block of Southeast 14th Street when Pearl forced his way inside and began rummaging through her nearby nightstand.
The woman woke up and immediately began screaming for help as Pearl grabbed her by the neck and placed his hand over her mouth, police said.
Police say the woman kicked Pearl and scratched him in the face until she was free, and Pearl fled through the home's front door.
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According to an arrest report, police were able to test DNA recovered from the victim's fingernails from the scratches, and the DNA matched Pearl.
Pearl, from Southwest Ranches, is on probation for a prior armed robbery, police said. He was taken into custody on Sept. 14 and was being held without bond Monday. It was unknown whether he has an attorney.
