Milford Man Arrested, Escapes Handcuffed from Cruiser, is Arrested Again

A Milford man who was placed in the back of a police cruiser, handcuffed, after an arrest on drug charges escaped out an open window, according to Milford Police.

He was captured a short time later, in a house he entered on Winter Street, following a pursuit Thursday morning that included a Bellingham police dog and State Police officers.

Milford Police arrested Terrell Paniss, 21, of 66.5 E. Main St., Milford, on eight charges, including escape from a police officer. He is charged with: unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, possession with intent to distribute Class B (cocaine/crack), disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct, breaking and entering in the daytime, resisting arrest, escape from a police officer and use without authority. He also will be charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, according to police, who confirmed the test results Thursday.

His passenger in the vehicle, Vincent Ruscitti, 24, of 4 Capt. Peter Simpson Dr., Millbury, was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute a Class B drug (cocaine/crack) and possession of a Class C drug (psilocybin mushrooms). He also will be charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

The chain of events began about 11:35 a.m. with a stop by Milford detectives of the Toyota Highlander on Sumner Street, after a stop sign violation, according to Milford Police.

Paniss, the driver, did not have a license. Police then found a variety of drugs, including marijuana, cocaine and crack, according to the statement. Tests later revealed methamphetamine, as well.

Paniss was placed in the back of a police cruiser, handcuffed, but then escaped out the window. He took off running into the woods behind THAT Corp., on Sumner Street, according to the police log. He was found a short time later in a home on Winter Street, police said, after the police dog tracked his scent.