DNA evidence helped police bring charges against a man who was a suspect in a rash of commercial break-ins in the Gander area dating back a few years.

RCMP identified a suspect in their investigation into a series of break-ins in 2018 and 2019, but say they lacked the evidence to lay charges.

RCMP say investigating officers worked to secure a warrant for a sample of 37-year-old Ben Lush’s DNA, and sent it in for lab analysis.

The results were delayed by the pandemic, but once completed, police say Lush was confirmed as a match to samples obtained from six crime scenes.

Lush is scheduled to appear in court March 8 on six break and enter charges.