MILFORD POLICE K-9 TITAN TRACKS PERSON IN DISTRESS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MONDAY JULY 20TH 2026

MILFORD – On Thursday, July 16, 2026, at approximately 5:15 PM, the Milford Public Safety Communications Center received a 911 call reporting that an individual experiencing a mental health crisis had fled into a wooded area near Upper Purchase Street.

Officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel quickly responded, while a Milford Police Department drone was deployed to assist in the search. At approximately 6:01 PM, Milford Police K-9 Titan began alerting toward a nearby power line corridor before ultimately locating the individual unharmed at approximately 6:09 PM.

The individual was transported to Milford Regional Medical Center for evaluation.

CONTACT JCOVINO@MILFORDPOLICE.ORG FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INQUIRES

MPD CAPTURE SUSPECT WHO FLED HIT AND RUN WITH MSP TROOPER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MONDAY JULY 20TH 2026

MILFORD – On Thursday July 16, 2026, at approximately 8:03AM, the Milford Public Safety Communications Center received information from the Northbridge Police Department that a Massachusetts State Police Trooper had enacted a motor vehicle stop of a 2026 grey Nissan Sentra in their town. During the stop, the operator Joseph Prior, 29, of Milford, put the vehicle in reverse, nearly striking the trooper before colliding with the MSP cruiser before fleeing the scene. Attempts to locate the suspect or the vehicle were unsuccessful. A warrant was later issued for Prior’s arrest. On Friday July 17, 2026, at approximately 5:22PM, the Milford Public Safety Communications Center received notification that Prior was in Milford and was possibly enroute to Parkhurst Street.

Arriving on Parkhurst Street, officers located Prior on foot. When the Prior saw the Milford Police Department marked vehicles, he immediately fled towards Hayward Street. Additional arriving officers were able to intercept Prior on Hayward Street, placing him under arrest.

“The Massachusetts State Police showed great restraint in their initial motor vehicle stop interaction with Joseph Prior. I commend them for their training and professionalism in trying to deescalate without using lethal force. This is indicative of time-tested police training and tactics.” Said Milford Chief of Police Robert Tusino

“I’m also grateful for the coordinated efforts of the Milford Police Department Detective Bureau and Patrol Division to apprehend Joseph Prior without injury to the public or all those involved.”

Joseph Prior was placed under arrest and held on $10,000.00 bail on the following charges.

A&B WITH A DANGEROUS WEAPON (WARRANT)

OPERATING WITH A SUSPENDED LICENSE (WARRANT)

FAILURE TO STOP FOR POLICE (WARRANT)

NEGLIGENT OPERATION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE (WARRANT)

UNSAFE OPERATION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE (WARRANT)

IMPROPER OPERATION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE (WARRANT)

RESISTING ARREST

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

CALL FOR NAKED WOMAN AT TARGET RESULTS IN THREE ARRESTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FRIDAY JULY 10TH 2026 MILFORD – On Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at approximately 7:25 PM, the Milford Public Safety Communications Center received a call from an employee of Target, located at 250 Fortune Boulevard in Milford, reporting an intoxicated and nude female inside the store. During the call, the employee stated the female had put her clothes back on and exited the store on foot, with blood visible on her clothing.

Upon arrival, officers began checking the area for the female before locating a red Subaru Forester occupied by a male operator and two female passengers, one of whom matched the suspect description provided by store employees, in the nearby vacant Best Buy parking lot.

Officers identified the occupants of the vehicle as Benjamin Mahler, 50, of Uxbridge; Elizabeth McCusker, 36, of Franklin; and Alisha Chmiel, 32, of Woonsocket, Rhode Island. During the interaction, police officers discovered the vehicle and its occupants possessed crack cocaine and fentanyl.

As a result of the investigation, the following charges have been filed:

Alisha Chmiel • Possession of a Class A Substance (Fentanyl) • Obstruction of Justice • Five Active Warrants for Arrest Benjamin Mahler • Possession of a Class B Substance (Crack Cocaine) Elizabeth McCusker • Possession of a Class A Substance (Fentanyl) • Disturbing the Peace

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

TONIGHT'S FIREWORKS INFORMATION

Tonight's fireworks will begin at 9:30PM. Road closures will begin at 7PM.

The locations are as follows:

Cedar at Dilla Sumner (1-way traffic towards Main Street)

Cedar at Hamilton

Cedar at Ravenna

Cedar at Naples

Purchase at Dilla

Sumner at Lincoln

Sumner at Mechanic

Please enjoy the fireworks and drive safely.

ARREST MADE IN $30,000 LARCENY FROM LOCAL HEALTH CARE FACILITY

MILFORD – On February 2, 2026, the Milford Police Department responded to Countryside Healthcare, located at 1 Countryside Drive, to investigate the suspected larceny and forgery of a check in the amount of $30,104.30.

Investigators determined the check had been intercepted in the mail and fraudulently altered by changing the "pay to the order of" recipient. The forged check was subsequently cashed on February 5, 2026, at a JP Morgan Chase Bank branch in Piscataway, New Jersey.

Over the following several weeks, members of the Milford Police Detective Bureau conducted an extensive investigation, obtaining multiple search warrants that ultimately led to the identification of Lamin Conteh, 27, of Asbury Park, New Jersey, as the suspect. On July 1, 2026, Conteh was arrested in Manalapan, New Jersey, by the Manalapan Police Department on a Fugitive from Justice warrant stemming from the Milford Police Department's investigation.

“I’d like to commend our detective bureau for their efforts in solving this case. Financial crimes are among the most complex to resolve.” Said Milford Chief of Police Robert Tusino. Conteh is currently awaiting extradition to Massachusetts on larceny and forgery charges.

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

THREE JUVENILES CHARGED WITH B&E AND VANDALISM OF STACY AND MEMORIAL SCHOOL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WEDNESDAY JULY 1ST 2026

MILFORD – On Monday June 29, 2026, at approximately 9:19AM, The Milford Police Detective Bureau received information of a series of B&E and vandalism incidents that occurred at Stacy Middle School and Memorial Elementary School.

In investigating the schools, Detectives observed several acts of vandalism and destruction of school property, including a racial slur graffitied across signage. Through reviewing CCTV of the interior and exteriors of the schools and Milford Public Library, Detectives were able to identify that the crimes took place over two separate days, June 26th and June 27th. With assistance from School Resource Officers, Detectives were able to identify three juveniles as the suspects in the crimes.

"The complete lack of respect required to break into and vandalize any property is troubling, but to target places dedicated to educating and developing our children is especially disturbing," said Milford Chief of Police Robert Tusino. "I hope this serves as a turning point for these juveniles and that they recognize the seriousness of their actions before making decisions that could have lasting consequences."

As a result of the investigation, the three youths were each charged with following crimes:

B&E INTO A BUILDING DURING DAYTIME WITH INTENT TO COMMIT A FELONY (3 COUNTS)

MALICIOUS DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY (3 COUNTS)

DEFACE PROPERTY (3 COUNTS)

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

ECHO LAKE ADVISORY

The Milford Police Department would like to take a moment to bring attention to a series of issues that have taken place at Echo Lake. Recently we have discovered a serious outbreak in littering, illegal fires, public drinking, among other crimes.

Echo Lake is a vital drinking water source for the Town of Milford and a protected environmental resource. To help preserve the area and ensure the safety of our community, we remind everyone that the following activities are prohibited:

🚫 Trespassing

🚫 Swimming

🚫 Camping

🚫 Fires

🚫 Littering

These restrictions are in place to protect our public water supply, preserve the natural environment, and maintain the safety of everyone in the area.

The Milford Police Department will continue to conduct patrols of Echo Lake and surrounding property. Individuals found violating these regulations may be subject to enforcement action, including fines or criminal charges where applicable.

We appreciate the public's cooperation in helping protect one of Milford's most valuable natural resources.

PURCHASE STREET CLOSED WEDNESDAY JULY 1

wednesday July 1st, 5:30AM until 6:00PM

Due to road paving, Purchase Street will be limited to one-way traffic heading out of town only. There will be no inbound traffic from Purchase Street at Tyler Street to Purchase St. at Dilla Street.

All traffic entering Milford on Purchase Street will be detoured Tyler Street to Silver Hill Road to Congress Street.

Please plan your commute accordingly.