N.Y. Police Investigated for Quashing Burglary Probe

Two top Nassau County cops will be arrested as soon as today for allegedly helping quash the burglary probe of a prominent fund-raiser's son, The Post has learned.

Deputy Police Commissioner William Flanagan - the department's No. 3 ranking officer - and Chief of Patrol John Hunter helped keep Manhattan accountant Gary Parker's son, Zachary, out of jail despite evidence that he stole electronic equipment from his high school, multiple sources said.

Flanagan and Hunter retired effective yesterday and sources said they'll be indicted today, along with retired Nassau Deputy Commander Al Sharpe.

None of them could be reached for comment.

The case stems from the May 2009 theft from the auditorium of John F. Kennedy HS in Bellmore, where Zachary was a student.

There reportedly was strong evidence that he stole $3,000 worth of computers and a projector - including surveillance video showing him near the auditorium. But the Merrick, LI, resident was not arrested.

It remained a dead issue until last March, when the Long Island Press published an exposé - without identifying the Parkers by name - that suggested there was no arrest because the suspect's dad was deeply involved with the nonprofit Nassau County Police Department Foundation.

The newspaper reported that then-Police Commissioner Lawrence Mulvey's office ordered subordinates not to arrest the suspect. Mulvey is a co-founder of the foundation.

A day after the article appeared, Gary Parker resigned from the foundation's board. It was about to discuss the allegations and his status with the group, executive director Alexandra Nigolian said yesterday.

Nassau District Attorney Kathleen Rice then opened a probe of the theft, and Zachary has since been busted on burglary and drug charges.

Zachary's lawyer, Mark Gann, said of Gary, "He may have reached out to people in the Police Department and asked if there was a way to settle it without an arrest.

"It's something that any parent would do if their child was going to be arrested."

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