WEST NYACK, NY – Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh, II announced that Michael Burks, 26, of Queens Village, NY, was indicted on:
• Two Counts of Attempted Murder in the 2nd Degree
• One Count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2ndDegree
• One Count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 3rdDegree
• One Count of Resisting Arrest
• One Count of Criminal Possession of a Marihuana in the 5th Degree
• Two Counts of Attempted Assault in the 3rd Degree
On October 18, 2020, at the Palisades Center Mall, Michael Burks approached two women and verbally and physically assaulted them. Burks threatened to shoot both women. He then got into his car and drove towards the two women almost striking them. The Clarkstown Police Department ultimately stopped the car after a pursuit. After resisting arrest, Burks was found to be in possession of a loaded firearm and marihuana.
Rockland County District Attorney Tom Walsh said, “the arrest of Michael Burks was a testament to the hard work and professionalism of the Clarkstown Police Department. I have the utmost confidence in my team that this case will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Arraignment on the indictment is pending. Burks is being held in the Rockland County Jail. Senior Assistant District Attorney Melissa Robustello and Assistant District Attorney Ryan Sweeney are prosecuting the case and are being overseen by First Assistant District Attorney Dominic Crispino.
* It should be noted that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.