Milford police arrested three people after store employees reported a naked, intoxicated woman inside the Target at 250 Fortune Boulevard, authorities said. The woman had left the store by the time officers arrived, but a subsequent investigation in a nearby parking lot led to drug charges and multiple warrants.
Call leads officers to vacant lot
Shortly before 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, the Milford Public Safety Communications Center took a report from a Target employee who said an intoxicated woman had been naked inside the store. Store staff told dispatch the woman had dressed and left on foot, with blood visible on her clothing.
Officers canvassed the area and located a red Subaru Forester parked in the vacant Best Buy lot close to the store. The vehicle was occupied by three people: Benjamin Mahler, 50, of Uxbridge; Elizabeth McCusker, 36, of Franklin; and Alisha Chmiel, 32, of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, according to the police report.
Drug evidence and charges
During the contact, police allege they discovered illegal drugs in the vehicle. As a result, the following charges were filed:
- Alisha Chmiel — Possession of a Class A substance (fentanyl); obstruction of justice; and five active warrants. She was held on $1,000 cash bail.
- Benjamin Mahler — Possession of a Class B substance (crack cocaine). He was released on personal recognizance.
- Elizabeth McCusker — Possession of a Class A substance (fentanyl) and disturbing the peace. She was issued a summons and has not yet been arraigned.
The arrests highlight ongoing concerns about fentanyl and other opioids circulating through the state and region. Milford police did not release additional details about the alleged intoxicated woman or whether she is the same person cited in store reports.
Local context and public-safety notes
Incidents inside high-traffic retail locations can raise safety concerns for shoppers, employees and first responders. In recent years, police departments across Rhode Island and neighboring Massachusetts have reported increased encounters involving opioid-related substances, which can complicate routine responses and present greater risk to the public.
As the matter moves through the court system, prosecutors will determine arraignment dates and whether additional charges are appropriate. People arrested on drug charges in the region commonly face state-level controlled-substance statutes that distinguish between Class A and Class B substances.
| Name | Alleged charges |
|---|---|
| Alisha Chmiel | Possession (fentanyl, Class A); obstruction; five warrants; held on $1,000 cash bail |
| Benjamin Mahler | Possession (crack cocaine, Class B); released on personal recognizance |
| Elizabeth McCusker | Possession (fentanyl, Class A); disturbing the peace; summons issued |
Anyone with additional information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Milford police department. Retail employees and patrons who witness disturbances are urged to call 911 so officers can respond promptly.
This report is based on information provided by Milford police and local records. Further updates will be published as the case proceeds through arraignment and any subsequent hearings.
