Rash of Stolen Property in Riverside/Flanders

Residents in Riverside and Flanders have been warned by police to watch out for their valuables as a rash of stolen property reports have unfolded in recent days.

Southampton Town police said on Sunday at 8 am., a resident reported that while her car was parked in front of her residence on Flanders Road in Riverside, an unknown subject stole her pocketbook from her unlocked car.

The thief made off with $800 in cash, a debit card, and other personal items, police said; he was caught on the homeowner’s video surveillance camera.

Detectives identified the thief as Roshawn Childress, 32; Childress is homeless. Several hours later at 3 p.m., detectives located Childress on Main Street in Riverhead where he fought with them in order to avoid being arrested, police said.

He was subsequently arrested and charged with grand larceny in the fourth degree, a felony, and resisting arrest, a misdemeanor.

Childress was held overnight and brought to Southampton justice court the next morning; he was remanded to the Suffolk County Correctional Facility.

Earlier this week, Patch reported the arrest Saturday of Bhavesh Hasarafally, 17, who police said admitted to a string of car break-ins, as well as partying at a vacant home in the area.

On Friday, police said detectives have recovered some of the stolen items and asked that anyone in the community who believes they may have been a victim call the detective division directly at 631-702-2230.   

Southampton Town police urged residents to take safety precautions to deter such crimes by removing all personal items of value from their cars, closing all windows, and locking their vehicles.