25 YEARS OF REMEMBERING 9/11

September 11th, 2001, at 8:46am, American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan, New York, the first of four coordinated attacks on our country that killed 2,977 people and resulted countless long-term health battles for survivors and first responders.

Today, 25 years after the darkest hour in our great nation’s history. We continue our oath to never forget.

At 8:46am our agency will broadcast a radio message in honor of those who lost their lives and the countless affected from the attacks.

SUSPECT IN CUSTODY FOLLOWING STABBING

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MONDAY SEPTEMBER 7th 2026

MILFORD – On Sunday September 6, 2026, at 6:24PM, the Milford Public Safety Communications Center received multiple emergency calls reporting a stabbing in the Hayward Street area. One caller, informed telecommunicators they were enroute to the hospital with an 18-year-old victim.

Upon arrival at the reported crime scene on Hayward Street, officers located multiple blood stains on the pavement. Officers then located the alleged suspect, Edwyn Sanchez, 19 of Milford. While speaking with Sanchez, officers observed blood on his arms and legs.

At approximately 6:56PM, Sanchez was placed under arrest and taken to Milford Police Department headquarters for booking. For the next several hours, areas of Hayward Street remained closed while members of the Milford Police Detective Bureau and Massachusetts State Police continued to investigate.

“We’re learning more of what lead to this act of violence as our detectives continue to investigate. We’re fortunate to have quickly taken the suspect into custody without further incident.” Said Milford Chief of Police Robert Tusino The victim was taken to Umass Memorial Hospital in Worcester via LifeFlight with life threatening injuries.

Edwyn Sanchez remains in custody without bail and is charged with the following crimes.

ASSAULT TO MURDER

ASSAULT AND BATTERY WITH A DANGEROUS WEAPON RESULTING IN SERIOUS BODILY INJURY

ASSAULT AND BATTERY WITH A DANGEROUS WEAPON

DISTURBING THE PEACE

DISORDERLY CONDUCT

CONTACT JCOVINO@MILFORDPOLICE.ORG FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INQUIRIES. ALL SUSPECTS ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.

MILFORD POLICE K-9 TITAN RETIRING

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 2ND 2026

MILFORD – The Milford Police Department is honored to announce the retirement of K-9 Titan, effective Friday, September 4, 2026.

In April 2025, Titan received national recognition after a deployment led to the water rescue of a nonverbal autistic child. Since that rescue, Titan has participated in several successful deployments, was honored by the New England Patriots, and was named National Law Enforcement Officer of the Month alongside his handler and partner, Officer Brian Sanchioni.

Throughout his distinguished career, Titan has participated in more than 230 field deployments while also becoming a familiar presence at countless community events throughout Milford and beyond.

This Friday at 12:00 PM, Titan will be joined by his fellow officers and K-9 teams from Milford and surrounding agencies for a retirement celebration and ceremonial final radio call, marking the conclusion of an exceptional career of service to the Milford community.

CONTACT JCOVINO@MILFORDPOLICE.ORG FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INQUIRES

HARTFORD RESIDENT ARRESTED AFTER SERIES OF SMASH AND GRABS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 2ND 2026

MILFORD – On Friday, August 28, 2026, at approximately 8:37 PM, the Milford Public Safety Communications Center received a call from Planet Fitness, located at 146 South Main Street, reporting a motor vehicle break-in. The caller reported that a window of their vehicle had been smashed and a purse containing personal belongings had been stolen.

As members of the Milford Police Detective Bureau and Patrol Division investigated the incident, a second victim notified officers that a window of their vehicle had also been smashed and personal belongings had been stolen.

Utilizing surveillance footage, detectives were able to identify a white Volkswagen Tiguan as the suspect’s vehicle. With the assistance of modern police technology, officers subsequently located the vehicle on Main Street.

After being parked on Main Street, a male suspect was observed exiting the vehicle carrying what appeared to be a satchel or purse. The suspect walked down Central Street and reappeared several minutes later without the bag.

At approximately 10:40 PM, members of the Milford Police Department located the suspect vehicle behind the 7-Eleven located at 127 Main Street. The operator was identified as Jonathan Jamal Walker, 35, of Hartford, Connecticut. An NCIC query showed active warrant for his arrest.

At approximately 11:02 PM, Milford Police K-9 Ozzy was deployed in the area where Walker had previously been observed carrying the suspected stolen property. Shortly after deployment, several of the stolen items were located inside a dumpster on Central Street.

“I’m extremely proud of the men and women of our agency for their coordinated efforts in identifying and apprehending this suspect,” said Milford Chief of Police Robert Tusino. “Those who come into our community to prey on our residents and steal their property should know that we will use every resource available to identify them, locate them and hold them accountable.”

As a result of the investigation, Jonathan Walker was arrested and charged with the following crimes:

B&E VEHICLE/BOAT NIGHTTIME FOR FELONY (x2)

MALICIOUS DAMAGE TO A MOTOR VEHICLE (x2)

NUMBER PLATE VIOLATION TO CONCEAL ID

LARCENY UNDER $1200 (x2)

POSSESSION OF BURLARIOUS INSTRUMENT

WARRANT ARREST

CONTACT JCOVINO@MILFORDPOLICE.ORG FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INQUIRES All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

NORFOLK MAN ARRESTED ON MULTIPLE ASSAULT CHARGES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FRIDAY AUGUST 28TH 2026

MILFORD – On Wednesday August 26, 2026, The Milford Public Safety Communications Center received a call from Milford Hospital requesting assistance for a male creating a disturbance by yelling vulgarities and throwing items at staff.

On arrival members of the Milford Police Detective Bureau and Patrol Division encountered a male in the parking lot matching the description given by the caller. The suspect, later identified as Raymond Hilaire Jr, 26, of Norfolk, refused to cooperate with officer’s commands and attempted to flee before being placed under arrest.

As a result of the incident, Hilaire was charged with the following:

ASSAULT W/DANGEROUS WEAPON

DISTURBING THE PEACE

DISORDERLY CONDUCT

RESIST ARREST

CONTACT JCOVINO@MILFORDPOLICE.ORG FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INQUIRES All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

SAFE DRIVING TIPS FOR A SAFE SCHOOL YEAR

On Wednesday August 26, 2026, a new school year for Milford students and faculty begins. With a new school year comes renewed motor-vehicle, pedestrian and bicyclist traffic. Our School Resource Officers and Special Operations Unit will be back in schools keeping everyone safe. While our patrol division will be enforcing traffic safety, as we did with “Operation Safe School Zone” last school year.

The Milford Police Department would like to take a moment to reinforce some safe practices for our commuters. Whether you are a parent driving your student to school, a student driver, a work commuter or a student that takes a bike to school, it is critical that you follow the rules of the road.

• Obey local speed limits

• Always be aware of pedestrians

• Watch for new traffic patterns

• Drive patiently

• If you are operating a bicycle or e-bike stay off the sidewalks

• Only cross the street when safe or in designated crosswalks

The Milford Police Department thanks all of our residents and visitors for helping keep everyone safe this upcoming school year.

MILFORD MAN CHARGED WITH FOURTH OFFENSE OUI

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MONDAY AUGUST 10TH 2026

MILFORD – On Saturday, August 8, 2026, at approximately 9:59PM, the Milford Public Safety Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a grey Hyundai Elantra operating erratically near the Tyler Street area of Purchase Street.

At approximately 10:03PM, members of the Milford Police Patrol division conducted a motor vehicle stop of the suspect vehicle after observing several marked lanes violations. During the stop officers observed two young juvenile passengers in the vehicle. “This arrest is especially troubling given the presence of two young children inside the vehicle,” said Milford Chief of Police Robert Tusino.

“Driving under the influence puts everyone at risk, but allegedly doing so with children in the vehicle shows a disturbing disregard for their safety. I am grateful to the concerned motorist who called 911 and to our officers for intervening before this situation resulted in a tragedy.”

As a result of the on-scene investigation, Max Melendez Escobar, 38, of Milford, was arrested and charged with the following.

OPERATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE (4TH OFFENSE)

NEGLIGENT OPERATION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE

CHILD ENDANDGERMENT WHILE OUI

MARKED LANES VIOLATION

CONTACT JCOVINO@MILFORDPOLICE.ORG FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INQUIRES All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

JOINT OPERATION LEADS TO CHILD PORNOGRAPHY ARREST

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MONDAY AUGUST 10TH 2026

MILFORD – On Wednesday, August 5, 2026, the Milford Police Department, in collaboration with the Massachusetts State Police Cyber Crime Unit, conducted an investigation into the alleged production and possession of child sexual abuse material in Milford.

The investigation intensified after a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children provided information that led investigators to believe that images allegedly possessed by the suspect depicted the recent sexual abuse of a child.

At approximately 9:52 p.m., Milford Police detectives located the suspect, Manuel Dafonte, 37, of Milford, operating a white Nissan Frontier on Medway Road. Detectives subsequently conducted a motor vehicle stop at the Mobil gas station on Medway Road.

At approximately the same time, members of the Massachusetts State Police STOP Team, Massachusetts State Police Cyber Crime Unit, and Milford Police Patrol Division executed a search warrant at Dafonte’s residence on Taft Street in Milford.

“I’d like to thank the Massachusetts State Police for their collaboration on this arrest.” Said Milford Chief of Police Robert Tusino. “Crimes against children are among the most heinous offenses we encounter. To know that this individual was previously charged with possession of child pornography and is now accused of similar conduct involving the exploitation of a child is deeply disturbing.”

As a result of the investigation and execution of the search warrant, Manuel Dafonte was arrested and charged with the following offenses:

POSSESSION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY – SECOND OFFENSE

INDECENT ASSAULT & BATTERY ON A CHILD UNDER 14

POSING/EXHIBITING A CHILD IN A NUDE OR LASCIVIOUS POSE

PHOTOGRAPHING THE SEXUAL OR INTIMATE PARTS OF A CHILD

CONTACT JCOVINO@MILFORDPOLICE.ORG FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INQUIRES All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.