A fugitive wanted for murder in Maine, captured after a high-speed chase with state police
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A fugitive wanted for murder in Maine, captured after a high-speed chase with state police


PITTSFIELD, Mass. – A Maine man suspected of killing a Bangor woman was arraigned Friday in Central Berkshire District Court on multiple charges following a high-speed police chase that ended in Pittsfield. The defendant, Richard Keith Thorpe, 42, of Maine, is charged with negligent operation, failure to stop for police, resisting arrest and receiving a stolen motor vehicle.

Authorities said Thorpe led Pittsfield police on a chase through West Pittsfield before crashing into an unmarked police car. He was arrested and brought before Judge Gioscia, who ordered Thorpe held without bail.

Thorpe is also a suspect in the death of Virginia Cookson, who was found dead on September 25 in a home in Bangor, Maine. Investigators are working with Maine State Police on this case.

“The Pittsfield Police officers involved in this morning’s pursuit truly put their lives on the line to capture a dangerous criminal,” said Timothy Shugrue, Berkshire District Attorney. “I am grateful for their courage.”

Shugrue also confirmed that his office had been in contact with Maine authorities to ensure that Thorpe would face charges in connection with Cookson’s murder. Thorpe waived extradition and is scheduled to be brought back to Maine on Saturday.

Authorities have not yet released further details about the Maine homicide investigation.

  • More than 70 illegal migrants found hiding in a Border City safe house

    EL PASO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested a murder suspect Tuesday and discovered 77 smuggled migrants during a raid on two stash houses in El Paso, authorities said.

    The El Paso Sectoral Anti-Smuggling Unit, along with Homeland Security Investigations and local law enforcement, executed a search warrant at a property on Overland Avenue, where they found 72 migrants living in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. Some migrants were discovered in a shed with limited airflow and piles of garbage.

    Officials said two people at the scene were identified as caregivers and will face people smuggling charges. Investigators also located a second stash house on Val Verde Street, where five additional migrants were found.

    Of the 77 migrants coming from Mexico, Honduras, Ecuador, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic, one person from the Dominican Republic was identified as wanted for murder in the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) database.

    According to authorities, the migrants were processed under Title 8 removal and were listed in good condition. Since the beginning of fiscal year 2024, El Paso agents have discovered more than 270 stash houses and detained 2,663 migrants.

    “The El Paso community provides an important partnership that helps us protect our city,” said A. Scott Good, El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent.

  • A fallen tree closes a road in Holmdel

    HOLMDEL, NJ — Everett Road in Holmdel Township is closed in both directions due to a downed tree and downed power lines, the Holmdel Township Police Department announced Monday.

    The closure extends from Red Hill Road to American Way and no through traffic is allowed until further notice. Police are advising drivers to avoid the area and seek alternative routes.

    According to the department, utilities have been notified and are working to resolve the issue. No estimated reopening time has been provided.

    “Update information will be provided once the road reopens,” police said.

    Drivers are encouraged to allow extra travel time as diversions may cause delays.

  • A subway fire causes power outages and traffic disruptions in downtown Baltimore

    BALTIMORE, Sept. 29 — Emergency crews responded early Sunday morning to a subway fire and multiple manhole explosions in downtown Baltimore, causing widespread power outages and disruptions to traffic. The incident occurred at 300 N. Charles Street, with smoke reportedly coming from several wells and fire visible from one.

    According to officials, the Baltimore City Fire Department, Baltimore City Police Department, Office of Emergency Management, Department of Transportation and BGE responded to the scene. Power to the area was immediately turned off to allow crews to safely extinguish the fire. The outage is affecting businesses and residences along Lexington, Mulberry, Saratoga, Calvert and Sharp streets downtown.

    Several key buildings, including the University of Maryland’s Midtown Hospital, were forced to run on generator power. Officials say other city buildings suffered similar damage, but emergency power systems were activated.

    Residents in the area also experienced power outages as BGE and fire crews worked to restore power. “The threat to the public has been contained at this time and crews will continue to work,” the Baltimore City Fire Department said in a statement.

    Traffic remains severely disrupted near N. Charles Street, between Lexington and Saratoga streets, and city officials are advising drivers to avoid the area throughout the day.

    There are no reports of injuries, and updates on power restoration and traffic impacts are expected as the situation develops.