Lee man accused of 2016 burglary at Homer Helter's Antique Mall in N. Naples

Collier County deputies said a DNA match from a needleless syringe led them to charge a Cape Coral man with a 2016 burglary in North Naples.

William Blanco, 44, already serving time in the Naples jail, was charged Friday with grand theft, burglary, dealing in stolen property and defrauding a pawnbroker.

Blanco pawned items stolen from Homer Helter's Antique & Military Mall in October, the Sheriff's Office reported.

Archive: Homer Helter's antique store burglarized last week

Glass from the front door of the Shirley Street business was smashed, alarm wires were cut and a jewelry counter in the mall also was smashed, the Sheriff's Office reported.

The syringe was found under the shattered glass-top display case, and detectives were notified of the DNA match to Blanco last month, the report states.

Jewelry valued at $21,000 was stolen, according to the report. The items included a diamond and gold tennis bracelet and an 18K gold cross with green stones.

Detectives said they found a Golden Gate pawnshop ticket for the gold cross and bracelet. A latent print matched Blanco's right thumb print, according to the report.

More: Homer Helter, owner of military antique store, dies at 72