Milford Police Arrest Two Men in Vehicle Break-ins near South Main Street

Milford Police arrested two men early Wednesday on charges of breaking into vehicles in south Milford, after an officer spotted them running away from his cruiser.

One of the men carried a backpack that had several items, including a large amount of change and several GPS units.

Kevin Duffy, 23, of 38 Spring St., Apt. 1, Milford, is charged with three counts of breaking and entering a vehicle or boat in the nighttime for a felony, as well as receiving stolen property worth more than $250 and conspiracy, according to court records.

Jason Phaneuf, 23, of 76 Jones RD., Hopedale, is charged with three counts of breaking and entering a vehicle or boat, receiving stolen property and conspiracy.

The pair will be arraigned on Thursday in Milford District Court.

According to a police statement filed by Detective Jason Ball, Milford Police officer Paul Pinto was on patrol in the Otis Street-South Main Street area at 1:30 a.m. Wednesday when he spotted two men running away from him up Chapin Street. The area has had an increase in motor vehicle break-ins in the overnight hours, according to Ball's statement.

Pinto caught up to the two men, and recognized them on sight. According to Ball's statement, Duffy is on probation for a home break-in in 2010 in which a police officer had his firearms stolen. Duffy was carrying a backpack, and consented to a police search, according to Ball.

Inside the bag, Pinto recovered a registration to a motor vehicle registered to a Chapin Street address, multiple miscellaneous items and a large amount of change. In addition, he found several GPS units.

Duffy also allowed Pinto to examine his phone. On it, Pinto saw a text to a Jason P at 12:30 "Wanna go car shopping tonight?"

Both men told police that the message meant to enter cars and steal money and valuables, according to Ball's statement.

Phaneuf told police he did not enter the cars, but also did not do anything to stop Duffy from doing so. Milford Police have charged him with the same felony charges as Duffy.

Phaneuf allowed police to search his vehicle, according to Ball. Inside the vehicle, police found two more GPS units and a scientific calculator.