Troopers: White Plains Man Admits to Burglaries in Putnam, Dutchess

New York State Police arrested a 33-year-old White Plains man—who admitted to other crimes—after they discovered him in a Dutchess County residence that had been broken into, officials say.

Troopers announced the burglary arrest Tuesday afternoon. The exact charges Mark Mendoza, a resident of Soundview Avenue, faces were not immediately available.

The incident, which came in as a possible burglary-in-progress, occurred at a Trillium Road in LaGrange.

"A neighbor at that location observed the suspect at the back door of victim's residence and called the State Police," authorities said in a statement. "Members responded and found that the rear door of residence had been forced open.  Troopers immediately observed the suspect in the residence and took him into custody without incident." 

Investigators interviewed Mendoza, who "made admissions to several burglaries in close proximity to the Taconic State Parkway throughout Putnam and Dutchess County areas and may be implicated in several other burglaries in other counties," according to police.

He is reportedly an unemployed bartender with no criminal history.

Officials are in the process of recovering stolen property from Mendoza's home. A list of the items, and additional information, will be released as the investigation continues, troopers say.

State Police ask any law enforcement agencies with "similar incidents" to call the Bureau of Criminal Investigation at 845-677-7300.