Crime & Safety

Four Charged With Ransacking, Destroying Milford Church

Four men, three of them juveniles, allegedly destroyed religious artifacts, broke sacramental items while ransacking a church in Milford.

MILFORD, MA—A Milford man is facing numerous charges after allegedly breaking into a church along with three other juveniles on Friday.

On Aug. 31, Milford detectives arrested Michael Clifford, 21, Pine Street, Milford, with offenses related to breaking and and entering into Saint Mary's Church at 17 Winter St.

In the early morning hours, four suspects forced their way in through a door at the church. Once inside, they allegedly destroyed two heavy duty doors, ransacked the office areas, committed desecrating acts against constitutional religious freedoms and protections, and removed several religious artifacts from their proper storage areas, leaving sacramental items broken, and strewn throughout the church.

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Clifford and the three juveniles were charged with the following offenses: Trespassing; Breaking and Entering; Malicious Destruction of Property (2 counts); Causing injury to a church over $5000; Larceny from a Building; Conspiracy; and Civil Rights Violation.

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