Extensive investigation by Central Precinct detectives into the Christmas Eve break-in at Metro’s Election Commission offices on 2nd Avenue South has led to the identification of a Tennessee parolee as the suspected burglar.
Robert Osbourne, 45, is named in an arrest warrant issued Tuesday afternoon charging the crime of burglary. The warrant was obtained by lead detective Rick Mavity after the TBI crime laboratory matched DNA from a blood sample recovered from the burglary scene to Osbourne’s DNA stored in a computer database. Osbourne’s DNA was on file due to his status as an ex-convict. He was released on parole and registered with the Metropolitan Police Department as an ex-con on October 30, 2007. Osbourne was sentenced to nine years in 2004 for a theft of property conviction in Marshall County. Records reflect Osbourne also had burglary and cocaine convictions in Marshall County in the 1980s and 1990s.
Central Precinct detectives and officers have been diligently looking for Osbourne since Tuesday. Osbourne is believed to be homeless and has been in and out of the Union Rescue Mission over the past several weeks.
Osbourne was arrested in Nashville for trespassing on January 4th and received a four-day sentence. He received a state misdemeanor citation for possession of drug paraphernalia on January 7th. The DNA results from the TBI were not received until yesterday.
“We believe that Osbourne holds the key in our efforts to locate and recover the two laptop computers stolen during the burglary,” Chief Ronal Serpas said. “The investigation to this point leads us to believe that this break-in was committed by a convicted thief on parole who was probably out to make a fast buck.”
Nashvillians, particularly those who live and work downtown, are urged to familiarize themselves with Osbourne’s photograph. Anyone seeing him or knowing his whereabouts is urged to immediately contact the Emergency Communications Center at 862-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 74-CRIME.
Robert Osbourne
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