PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A guy from Maine who was suspected of killing a woman in Bangor was charged with multiple crimes in Central Berkshire District Court on Friday.
The charges came after a high-speed police chase that ended in Pittsfield. Richard Keith Thorpe, 42, of Maine, is being charged with careless driving, failure to stop for police, resisting arrest, and receiving a stolen motor vehicle.
The police said Thorpe led them on a chase through West Pittsfield before he crashed into an unmarked police car. He was arrested and brought before Judge Gioscia, who told police that Thorpe could not get bail.
Virginia Cookson was found dead in her home in Bangor, Maine, on September 25. Thorpe is also a suspect in her death. The case is being looked into with help from the Maine State Police.
Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue said, “The Pittsfield police officers who took part in this morning’s high-speed chase really put their lives on the line to catch a dangerous criminal.” “I appreciate their bravery.”
Shugrue also said that his office has been in touch with Maine officials to make sure that Thorpe will be charged with Cookson’s murder. Thorpe refused to be extradited, and on Saturday he will be taken back to Maine.
The Maine police have not yet released any more information about the murder probe.