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December 10, 2006
CSI Memphis
That's one way to get a crook's prints.
Memphis robbery detectives Tuesday charged a man they say literally fingered himself for a violent home invasion robbery.
Terence Stewart, 28, is wanted for four counts of aggravated robbery, four counts of attempted aggravated robbery and burglary in the Nov. 4 break-in at a home on the 3000 block of Dothan.
During the robbery, the tip of Stewart's right trigger finger was cut off by one of the victims wielding a sword.
The fingertip was large enough and in good enough condition for crime scene detectives to get a clear print, which matched immediately to Stewart, police said.
Stewart's prints were on file for his arrest in 1996 for breaking into the homes of Hispanic victims and robbing them at gunpoint.
He was convicted and sentenced to eight years in prison, and was released in May 2005, according to court records.
Early on Nov. 4, eight men sleeping inside the home on Dothan were awakened by the sound of the door being kicked in by two robbers and several gunshots.
The robbers pistol-whipped Guillermo Tovar Sr. and left him unconscious on a couch while they robbed the other seven men.
Tovar regained consciousness as the robbers were exiting and swung into action.
He grabbed a sword from under the couch, and struck at one of the robbers' guns just as he was about to fire.
Tovar's swipe took off the gunman's right trigger finger, which was left behind when the robbers ran out.
The tip was inked and printed, and run through the AFIS (automatic fingerprint identification system), where it touched off a perfect match.
Police said they have been looking for Stewart ever since the fingertip pointed his way.
For good measure the fingertip has been sent off for DNA analysis that will be used to confirm the identity of the robber.
Tovar told police that the sword, described as a cavalry-type weapon, was used for cutting down weeds in the yard.
I can't wait for the defense to try and have the finger thrown out of court.
Gawd, I never thought anything could be better than a crime victim assisting a crook across the River Styx, but this comes close.
Heh.
Posted by Mike Lief at December 10, 2006 10:01 PM
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