A DAY OF UNFORGETTABLE TRAGEDY

September 11, 2001 — a day of unforgettable tragedy.

Four coordinated attacks claimed the lives of 2,977 people, injured thousands more, and left lasting health impacts on countless first responders and survivors. To honor those we lost, we must never forget.

9/11 holds special meaning for our agency. Milford Police Chief Robert Tusino was serving with the NYPD at the time of the attacks and responded to Ground Zero.

This morning at 8:46 a.m.—the moment American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower—we will hold a memorial radio acknowledgement across our emergency channels.

REMEMBERING FALLEN OFFICER HARRY W. BUTLER

Please take a moment to join us in remembering fallen officer Harry W. Butler.

Officer Butler was shot and killed while working in plainclothes with his partner in a residential neighborhood in response to individuals discharging firearms. Just after midnight, an individual approached the officers and asked what they were doing and who they were, when Officer Butler's partner responded that they were police officers the subject fired a revolver at point blank range striking Officer Butler in the face. A gang of a dozen or more men then appeared from the foliage in an ambush on the officers and exchanged gunfire with the officers. Officer Butler died at the scene.

Two men, 32 and 38, were arrested and charged with murder. Their trial resulted in the charges being dropped due to insufficient evidence.

Officer Butler was survived by his wife and three young children

MILFORD MAN POLICE ARREST MAN IN HIGH-DOLLAR SHOPLIFTING INCIDENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TUEDAY SEPTEMBER 2ND 2025

MILFORD — On Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at approximately 3:14 PM, the Milford Public Safety Communications Center received a call from Kohl’s, located at 91 Medway Rd., reporting a high-dollar shoplifting incident. A white male was observed pushing a shopping cart full of merchandise out of the store.

The suspect fled on foot prior to officers’ arrival, taking approximately $508.00 in merchandise and failing to stop for Kohl’s loss prevention personnel. Officers on scene were able to identify the suspect as Benjamin Fryer, 33, of Milford, MA. An area search was conducted at the time but proved unsuccessful.

On Thursday, August 28, 2025, at 1:35 PM, Milford Police Detectives located Fryer and placed him under arrest on an active warrant related to the Kohl’s shoplifting incident.

Fryer has been charged with the following offenses:

•Shoplifting by Asportation (2nd Offense)

•Larceny Under $1,200

MILFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATING DECEASED MALE FOUND NEAR BIKE PATH

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SUNDAY AUGUST 31, 2025

MILFORD — On Sunday, August 31, 2025, at approximately 7:51 a.m., the Milford Public Safety Communications Center received a 911 call requesting a well-being check at the Louisa Lake disc golf course, located off the Upper Charles River Bike Path near Louisa Lake.

Responding officers arrived on scene and located a deceased 39-year-old male.

“There is no danger to the public. Milford Police Detectives, along with the Massachusetts State Police, had the area closed off for investigatory purposes, but there was no nefarious act,” said Milford Chief of Police Robert Tusino.

The Milford Police Department reopened the section of the Upper Charles Trail at approximately 11AM.

MILFORD POLICE ARREST WOMAN FOR FRAUDULENT CHECK SCHEME AND DRUG POSSESSION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SATURDAY AUGUST 31, 2025

MILFORD — On Thursday, August 29, 2025, at approximately 5:05 p.m., the Milford Public Safety Communications Center received a report from Citizen’s Bank, located at 126 Medway Road in Milford, regarding a female suspect attempting to cash a fraudulent check in the amount of $2,500.

Upon arrival, Milford Police officers and detectives conducted an on-scene investigation and determined that the suspect, identified as Yelyzaveta Oliinyk, 21, of Hyannis, MA, was attempting to cash a false and forged check for $2,500.

A subsequent search of Oliinyk and her vehicle uncovered a second fraudulent check in the amount of $3,300, along with two bags of fentanyl and 3.5 Xanax tablets.

Of the arrest Milford Chief of Police Robert Tusino commented:

"Thanks to the vigilance of the staff at Citizen’s Bank and the quick response of our officers, we were able to prevent this fraudulent activity and remove dangerous drugs from our community. We remain committed to keeping Milford safe and holding those who break the law accountable."

Yelyzaveta Oliinyk has been charged with the following crimes:

Identity Fraud
Attempted Larceny by Check
Forgery of a Check
Uttering a False Check
Possession of Class A drug
Possession of Class C drug


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

MILFORD MAN ARRESTED ON B&E AND MULTIPLE THEFT CHARGES

MILFORD — On Thursday, August 28, 2025, at approximately 9:25 a.m., the Milford Police Department received a report from a 70-year-old female resident that her Grove Street home had been broken into and multiple items stolen.

The Milford Police Detective Bureau began investigating the incident at approximately 10:20 a.m. the same morning and quickly identified a suspect: Craig Carr, 39, of Milford. Carr is known to Milford Police Detectives as a repeat theft offender and was wanted on an active warrant related to a shoplifting incident that occurred on August 16, 2025, at Stop & Shop, 126 Medway Road, Milford.

At approximately 12:20 p.m., Detectives located Carr along the Milford Bike Path, where he was taken into custody on the shoplifting warrant.

Craig Carr has been charged with the following crimes:

B&E FOR MISDEMEANOR
TRESPASS
LARCENY FROM BUILDING
SHOPLIFTING BY ASPORTATION (WARRANT)
LARCENY UNDER $1200 (WARRANT)

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

MILFORD POLICE INVESTIGATE RUNAWAY EQUIPMENT ACCIDENT

MILFORD — On Friday, August 15, 2025, at approximately 1:38 p.m., the Milford Public Safety Communications Center received multiple 911 calls reporting that a large front-end loader had crashed on Cedar Street in Milford.

Responding officers arrived to find a nearly 60,000-pound front-end loader that had struck a guardrail and utility pole. An on-scene investigation revealed the equipment experienced brake failure while traveling down Fortune Boulevard, colliding with another vehicle and several road signs before ultimately coming to rest against the utility pole.

“It’s a miracle no one was killed or seriously injured,” said Milford Police Chief Robert Tusino. “If a motorist had entered the intersection just one second earlier, we could be facing an unspeakable tragedy.”

A video of the incident has been posted to all Milford Police Department social media platforms.

CONTACT JCOVINO@MILFORDPOLICE.ORG FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INQUIRES

MILFORD CHIEF OF POLICE URGES PARENTS TO ADDRESS RISING DANGERS OF E-BIKE FOLLOWING ANOTHER SERIOUS CRASH

MILFORD — On Monday, August 19, 2025, the Milford Public Safety Communications Center received multiple 911 calls reporting a collision involving a motor vehicle and an E-Bike. Responders arrived on scene and located a teenage male with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The attached photo shows the aftermath after the rider’s head struck the vehicle’s windshield.

In 2025, Milford has experienced a troubling surge in unsafe and illegal E-Bike operation. The Milford Police Department is urging parents to help protect their children by restricting the use of E-Bikes and reinforcing safe practices.

“In my thirty years as a paramedic, I have never seen such a rise in brain injuries as we are witnessing since the advent of E-Bikes in our community,” said Chief of Police Robert Tusino.

In July, the Milford Police Department released an educational video outlining the laws and dangers associated with E-Bikes. Shortly after, WCVB Channel 5 News featured a story on Milford’s growing concerns. Despite these efforts, unsafe riding behaviors and serious collisions have continued to increase.

“We are asking parents to take an active role by limiting their children’s use of E-Bikes and educating them on the very real dangers of operating these vehicles,” Chief Tusino added.

 

 

CONTACT JCOVINO@MILFORDPOLICE.ORG FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INQUIRES