A juvenile has been arrested in connection with a string of vandalism incidents that hit multiple vehicles, cameras, storefront windows and a headstone across Milford. Police say the damage included red spray paint, with some of it allegedly containing hate speech and images of male genitalia.
Milford police officers began receiving reports of the vandalism spree on Wednesday, Oct. 21, according to Boston 25 News. Victims across town reported finding the red spray-painted markings at various times, the outlet reported, with the vandalism striking a wide mix of property rather than a single location.
Suspect Identified Within 48 Hours
Investigators moved quickly. Over the next 48 hours, Milford police identified a juvenile as the suspect, per the same report. The juvenile now faces a civil rights violation charge, a charge of vandalizing a gravestone, four counts of vandalizing property and four counts of tagging property.
The alleged hate speech component of the case is notable given the civil rights charge now filed against the juvenile. Under the cited Massachusetts civil-rights statute, a person may not use force or the threat of force to willfully injure, intimidate, interfere with, oppress or threaten another person's exercise of rights protected by state or federal law, according to the Massachusetts General Laws. That statute sets penalties of up to a $1,000 fine or one year of imprisonment, with enhanced penalties if bodily injury results.
What the Gravestone Charge Could Mean
The headstone vandalism also carries its own statutory weight. The cited Massachusetts law covering intentional and willful damage to protected property, including gravestones, allows for penalties of up to three years in state prison, up to two years in a house of correction, or a fine, according to the Massachusetts General Laws.
Much about the juvenile remains unknown, and investigators have not released the suspect's age, name or residence. Boston 25 News has described the story as developing, with updates expected as more information becomes available.
Not Milford's First Brush With Vandalism
Not Milford's First Brush With Vandalism This is not the first time Milford has dealt with vandalism making headlines. Back in 2019, a 21-year-old and three juveniles were arrested after allegedly breaking into and vandalizing a church in town, Boston 25 News reported at the time. And on June 19, 2018, black and red spray paint was found scrawled across the front doors of Milford High School and on structures near the athletic fields overnight, with the district superintendent telling WCVB the damage ran into the thousands of dollars.
No dollar figure for the damage in this latest case has been verified, and police have not released details on the exact locations struck or the total number of victims affected. The case remains active as investigators continue to piece together the full scope of the vandalism spree.
