Oxford Man Caught Breaking Into Building

A 48-year-old Oxford man was caught hiding behind a cardboard box in the General DataComm. building in downtown Naugatuck after police say he broke in just before 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Kevin Maher, of 47 Christian Road, was found after an alarm sounded at the building at 6 Rubber Ave., and police arrived with a K-9 officer, Naugatuck police said. When police arrived, they found an open window, which someone tried to pry open, and a bicycle outside the building, police said.

While in the building, police found Maher hiding with a headlamp flashlight on his forehead, police said. He originally told police he needed to use the rest room of the building, most of which is vacant, police said.

When police searched Maher, they found marijuana and smoking pipe on him, police said. Maher later changed his story, saying he went into the building to smoke marijuana, police said.

He was charged with first-degree burglarly, third-degree criminal mischief, interfering with an officer, criminal attempt at sixth-degree larceny, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released on a $5,000 surety bond and given a court date of Jan. 23 in Waterbury.