DNA On Sunglasses Left Behind From SW OKC Liquor Store Robbery Identifies Suspect

DNA left behind from a year-old armed robbery helped Oklahoma City police solve the crime.

What the suspect did not realize was that the victim kept something from the robbery that identified 52-year-old Jerry Wallace. After the robbery and a struggle over the gun, the victim realized he was holding the suspect's sunglasses.

Police now have an active warrant for Wallace after DNA on his sunglasses tied him to the armed robbery of the now closed liquor store near Southwest 44th and Pennsylvania Avenue.

Last July, the owner of the store had just opened in the morning when Wallace came in.

“The suspect followed the victim inside the business and pulled out a handgun demanding money from the victim,” said Sgt. Dillion Quirk, Oklahoma City Police Department.

According to an arrest warrant, the victim told investigators the suspect pointed the gun at his face. The owner said he "instinctively grabbed the gun and wrestled with the suspect over it."

The store owner eventually gave up the struggle and complied with the man's demands for money. The entire time he had something Wallace left behind.

“The victim was able to knock off the suspect’s sunglasses and ultimately both parties left the business. The victim was able to get away,” said Quirk.

Police said the sunglasses proved to be the key to solving the crime. Even though the store owner handled the sunglasses, investigators were still able to save them as evidence.

“We were able to retrieve DNA evidence off of those sunglasses linking the suspect to Jerry Wallace,” said Quirk.

When the DNA was tested police got a hit pointing to the former Oklahoma Department of Corrections inmate. Wallace served time in prison for a number of felony crimes. He is now wanted for armed robbery. 

Police ask if you know of Wallace's whereabouts to call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 405-235-7300.