Police: Man who ransacked Douglas home hid in trash container in attempt to avoid arrest

DOUGLAS, MASS. (WHDH) - A Leominster man accused of ransacking a Douglas home tried to evade arrest by hiding in a trash container on Monday, police said.

John Boguzis, 35, was arraigned Tuesday in Uxbridge District Court on charges including breaking and entering in the daytime for a felony, malicious destruction of property over $1,200, and larceny from a building, according to Douglas police.

A judge ordered Boguzis held on $50,000 cash bail.

Officers responding to a report of a home break-in on Forrest Street around 6 p.m. discovered that the suspect used a ladder to enter the home through a second-floor porch before taking several items, including firearms, police said.

Carol Lincoln said her karate belt, bathrobe and bedsheets were among the stolen items — along with her toilet seat.

“He stole everything in my bathroom including my shampoo, cream rinse and my toilet seat!” Lincoln said. “He stole my toothbrushes, everything. He literally took everything put it in a box and left!”

Police said the thief put a ladder left by a workman up to Lincoln’s back balcony to get inside. Neighbors reportedly told officers that they saw a blue van in the area of the house earlier in the afternoon.

Around 7:15 p.m., Sutton police received a call of a suspicious blue van on Torrey Road, just a short distance away from the Douglas home break-in.

Douglas and Sutton police officers responded to the area and witnessed a man running into the woods, according to police.

Uxbridge police officer Thomas Stockwell and his K-9 partner named Bear arrived to assist with the search.

Bear immediately picked up a scent and tracked it through the woods and to a residence on Torrey Road. He then led the officers to a set of trash containers and found the suspect, identified as Boguzis, hiding inside, police said.

Boguzis was taken into custody with Bear’s assistance following an alleged brief struggle.

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