Madison, Chatham Police Help Catch Stolen Electronics Ring Leader

Madison and Chatham Police Departments were among the agencies that helped what the Morris County Prosecutor's Office called "the largest dismantling of an alleged fencing operation in the history of Morris County."

Manuel Flores, 64, owner of Dover Video at 15 Bassett Highway, was charged with leading the fencing operation and of buying and selling stolen goods at his downtown shop.

Morris County Prosecutors charged Flores with two counts of receiving stolen property, seven counts of conspiracy to commit fencing, six counts of attempt to commit theft, five counts of attempt to commit to receiving stolen property, one count of conspiracy to commit theft and one count of conspiracy to receive stolen property.

In a press release, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office said that Flores' store was known as a place where stolen goods could be sold.

It was not immediately clear in the statement from the Morris County Prosecutor's Office what role the Madison Borough Police Department played or whether any Madison stores were targeted.

Capt. Jeffrey S Paul, primary spokesperson for Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, did tell the Madison Patch that "the effort was supported by numerous municipal police departments. Everyone came together with a common purpose. We've had an inordinate number of burglaries throughout the county lately, and everyone worked together in a coordinated effort to shut down this operation. Though the operation was located in Dover, this arrest influences many municipalities in the county."

The Madison Borough Police Department did not immediately return a call seeking comment.