Milford Police Seek Burglary Suspect who Dropped in Through Roof, Escaped Through Window

A burglar entered a Milford convenience store early Monday by dropping in through the roof and ceiling, then escaped with an armful of cigarette cartons after breaking out through a glass door.

The burglar dumped most of the cigarette cartons in the parking lot, apparently in an attempt to flee quickly. Police also recovered the rock used to break out the glass. In the process of breaking in, or exiting, the burglar injured himself. Police found blood on several of the cartons, said Detective Jay Ball.

Through a vehicle later recovered and other evidence, police connected the crime at Route 85 Mobil to a 28-year-old Milford resident, who is now the subject of an active arrest warrant for breaking and entering.

Matthew Chaplin, 28, with a last known address of 234 Central St., Milford, is expected to be charged with breaking and entering, malicious destruction of property and other offenses relating to the burglary, Ball said. Chaplin also is a person of interest in a motor vehicle break-in in Upton, in which he and another accomplice used a stolen credit card in Milford, police said.

Chaplin should be considered dangerous, and has a history of narcotics, arrests, burglary arrests and of possession of firearms. He is known to hang out in Milford, Taunton, Haverhill, Lawrence, Worcester and Woonsocket, RI, according to police.

The break-in at the Route 85 Mobil was reported just after midnight Monday. No one was in the store at the time. Security video indicates the suspect broke in through the roof, then dropped into the store after crawling along the ceiling, said Deputy Police Chief James Heron. The man wore a mask and dark clothing, Heron said.

He scooped up cartons of cigarettes, then busted out of the building with a rock. In the process of escaping, he dropped most of the cigarette cartons in the parking area. He may have heard an approaching cruiser.

"For some reason, he panicked," Heron said.

Police later identified a person acting suspiciously on Beach Street, and when the officer approached, the person fled. A vehicle recovered shortly after had cigarette cartons inside, as well as blood, police said.

The vehicle has been connected to Chaplin, Ball said.

People with information should contact Milford Police at 508-473-1113.