DNA technology leads police to charge Jason Kristen after attempted Parramatta robbery
Advanced forensic and DNA technology has led investigators to charge a man who allegedly tried to rob a vacuum store at Westfield Parramatta 16 years ago.
Parramatta
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A man charged over an alleged attempted violent armed robbery at Godfreys Parramatta in 2003 has been granted bail after a court heard he had to look after his teenage son and held down a steady job.
Jason Anton Kristen, 44, was allegedly armed with a replica pistol when he threatened the store manager and demanded cash on November 10, 2003.
Police were told a violent struggle ensued during which the store manager managed to disarm the man.
The pair continued to fight until the manager tried to flee before another man allegedly struck him on the head.
The two men fled and the manager contacted police.
A long-running investigation which included advanced forensic and DNA technology led investigators to identify Mr Kristen who was charged with armed with intent to rob.
At Parramatta Local Court today, he appeared via audio visual link wearing a high visibility T-shirt.
His legal representative Susanna Tenner said Mr Kristen had held his job as an assembler for a Moorebank window supplier for 10 years, lived in the same public housing home at Wattle Grove since 2008 and held full custody of his 13-year-old son.
“The child’s mother has been out of the child’s life for the last two years,’’ she said.
“He works five to six days a week.”
The court heard Mr Kristen was involved in another incident from 2017, which led to the DNA discovery.
Magistrate Brian Van Zuylen said two years was a long time to match the DNA and granted bail.
“He’s been living at the same address for Wattle Grove for 11 years,’’ he said.
“He’s had stable employment, stable accommodations, he works six days a week.”
Mr Kristen must report to Liverpool police station three days a week and was ordered to appear at Parramatta Local Court on December 5.
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