Pittsfield Police arrest suspect in Maine homicide

Pittsfield Police have arrested a man in connection with a Maine homicide.

The search for Richard Keith Thorpe, 42, prompted a large police presence near Crosby Elementary School on Friday morning. Thorpe is accused of killing Virginia Cookson, 39. Her body was discovered in a Bangor residence on Sept. 25.

The investigation started after police responded to a crash just before 4 a.m. near West Street and Onota Street. The vehicle was empty. Investigators think Thorpe was driving before the crash.

Thorpe is then accused of stealing a car on West Housatonic Street later that morning. Police found the stolen car and chased it through the area of West Street.

Thorpe allegedly crossed a center divider, passed cars in a no-passing zone and failed to stop for police. He eventually stopped around Euclid Avenue after making contact with a police vehicle. There were no significant injuries, according to police.

Local schools were asked to shelter in place during the chase and Taconic High School was locked down, police said.

Neither Thorpe nor Cookson appear to have any ties to Pittsfield. 

Thorpe was arraigned in Central Berkshire District Court on charges of negligent operation, failing to stop for police, resisting arrest; and receiving a stolen motor vehicle. He was held without bail.

Thorpe voluntarily waived extradition back to Maine and will transported on Saturday.