DNA provides key evidence in Clintonville case
After more than two years, DNA results from the state crime lab led to criminal charges for a Clintonville break-in.
Matthew V. Meshke, 19, Waupaca, is charged with burglary and theft.
Shortly after 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, Clintonville Police Officers Anthony Arrieta and Andrew Kizewski responded to a burglary complaint on South Main Street.
The officers met with the owner of Cindy B’s Bar, who said she found a rear window of her building open.
Although there were pry marks on the back door, it was locked.
The owner reported cash and other items, with an estimated total value of more than $1,230, were missing.
The officers also found an open bag of chips and an open can of soda.
Digital video from 11:48 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23, 2018, showed someone wearing a backpack rummaging around behind the building.
Clintonville Police Officer Craig Kanke later recognized the backpack on the video from one he saw when he had contact with Meshke for a curfew violation at 12:20 a.m. that same Saturday.
On Dec. 4, 2018, Arrieta mailed the soda can to the state crime lab for DNA analysis.
The state crime lab informed Clintonville police the can produced a single-source male DNA profile.
On April 13, 2019, Officer Cody Rollin spoke with Meshke and swabbed the inside of his cheek for DNA samples and mailed them to the crime lab.
On Feb. 11, 2011, the state crime lab informed Clintonville police the DNA evidence linked Meshke to the burglary.
Meshke was released from custody on a $1,000 signature bond.
On Feb. 14, 2020, Waupaca County Circuit Court convicted Meshke of possession of narcotics, obstructing an officer and criminal damage to property and placed him on three years of probation.
On Sept. 10, 2020, the court revoked his probation and sentenced him to time served.
On the same day as his revocation, Meshke was convicted of delivery of amphetamine and placed on four years of probation.