Cops: Valley Cottage Man Charged with Burglary May Be Linked to Several Other Break-Ins

A 42-year-old Valley Cottage man was caught leaving the scene of a burglary in Orangetown Wednesday and is suspected in a rash of burglaries in Clarkstown, according to police in the two neighboring towns.

Orangetown police have charged Eric Flores with criminal possession of stolen property, burglary in the second degree and criminal mischief. Flores was arrested in Orangetown at about 1:25 p.m. Wednesday as he was leaving the scene of a burglary on Flitt Street, police said. There was a brief chase, first by vehicle and then on foot, but Flores was captured, police said.

Orangetown police said they were watching Flores when he broke into the Flitt Street residence. Flores was a suspect because his vehicle—a silver Mercedes-Benz—had been spotted at previous crime scenes, Orangetown detectives said.

Clarkstown police believe Flores may be linked to six burglaries in their town over the past two months, said Clarkstown Detective William Fritz. The department is currently working with the Rockland County District Attorney's office to lodge charges.

"The burglaries took place during the daytime hours," Fritz said. "He was targeting empty houses where residents had just left."

Charges against Flores are expected to be presented to a Rockland County grand jury in New City arly next week.