Woman Charged With Burglarizing 2 New York Synagogues

Adalis Rodriguez-Valentin faces two counts of third-degree burglary in connection with break-ins at the synagogues.

By Shula Rosen

A 33-year-old woman has been charged with burglarizing two synagogues in Monticello, New York, after police investigating the second break-in found her hiding beneath a building following a foot chase, News 12 Westchester reported.

Adalis Rodriguez-Valentin faces two counts of third-degree burglary in connection with break-ins at synagogues at 70 Wood Avenue and the Pine Knoll Bungalow colony at 198 Forestburgh Road.

The first burglary occurred Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at the Wood Avenue synagogue. A second break-in was reported around 2 a.m. Thursday, September 3, at the Pine Knoll location.

Police responding to a report of a burglary in progress at Pine Knoll identified two suspects on surveillance footage. Officers pursued the suspects on foot and later found Rodriguez-Valentin hiding underneath a building, according to reports.

Authorities are continuing to search for the second suspect.

Rodriguez-Valentin was arraigned following her arrest and released on her own recognizance under New York state bail laws.

The two synagogue burglaries come as New York continues to record the highest number of reported antisemitic incidents of any state in the country, according to Anti-Defamation League data.

The ADL recorded 1,160 antisemitic incidents across New York in 2025, despite an overall 19% decline from the previous year.

The total included 90 antisemitic assaults, a historic high for the second consecutive year. New York accounted for 44% of all antisemitic assaults reported nationwide during 2025.

The state also recorded 716 incidents of antisemitic harassment, a 21% decrease from the previous year, and 354 incidents of vandalism, representing a 20% decline.

No motive for the two Monticello synagogue burglaries was specified, and authorities have not characterized the break-ins as antisemitic incidents.