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Fingerprints get burglar caught
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Leaving his fingerprints behind at the scene of the crime will cost a burglar two years in prison.The defendant, Christopher Bratcher, entered a no-contest plea before Circuit Court Judge Bart Stanley to charges of vandalism and burglary and was directed to serve two years in the state penitentiary. He will also have to make $210 restitution to the victim.Bratcher’s prison time comes for his break-in of Viola Market in late 2010. On the night in question, he broke through a glass window at the store and stole several items including cigarettes.“I saw a trail of cigarette packs which he had dropped on the ground on his way out the door,” said sheriff’s investigation Kevin Murphy, noting he retrieved some of the packs, pulled a fingerprint off it, and sent it for analysis at the state crime lab.