Pittsfield police capture murder suspect from Maine

PITTSFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - A suspect wanted for murder in Maine was captured during a police pursuit in Pittsfield Friday morning.

In a news release sent to 22News from Pittsfield Police Lieutenant John Soules, at around 4 a.m. officers were investigating a motor vehicle crash near the intersection of West and Onata Streets. The vehicle was unoccupied and items inside led officers to believe that the driver may have been 42-year-old Richard Keith Thorpe of Bangor, Maine. The suspect wanted for the murder of 39-year-old Virginia Cookson who died on Wednesday inside a home in Bangor, Maine.

Officers searched the area but did not locate the suspect at the time. Nearly three hours later, at 7 a.m. officers were called to a report of a stolen vehicle on West Housatonic Street. The vehicle was located at around 8:30 a.m. and the driver led police in a pursuit in the areas of West Street.

Officers attempted to stop the vehicle before it approached Crosby Elementary however, they were unsuccessful. The suspect was taken into custody shortly after making contact with a police vehicle in the area of in the area of Euclid Avenue.

The driver was identified at Thorpe and is charged with numerous motor vehicle offenses and an arrest warrant in Maine for murder.

Pittsfield Public Schools Superintendent Joseph Curtis notified parents of a shelter-in-place at all schools due to the incident. The shelter-in-place was in effect for less than five minutes and has since been lifted.

(Video sent to 22News from Chris K Balaska)