Maine State Police

On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at approximately 1:30 PM, a Trooper from the Maine State Police Central Field Troop observed a black Chevrolet Impala on Townhouse Road in West Gardiner. The vehicle was driven by 34-year-old Pearle Thomas of Augusta, with her husband, 33-year-old Zebbie Thomas of Charleston, as a passenger. Zebbie Thomas has multiple active arrest warrants issued by other law enforcement agencies for felony robbery, aggravated assault, and violating conditions of release.  

Zebbie and Pearle have evaded law enforcement multiple times in past weeks during efforts to apprehend them. Today an attempt to initiate a traffic stop was made, but the Impala failed to pull over and a pursuit ensued. For the safety of the public and responding personnel, the Trooper executed a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver on West Road in West Gardiner, successfully terminating the pursuit.

Both Pearl and Zebbie Thomas were taken into custody without further incident. Both are being treated at a local hospital for minor injuries and will be transported to the Kennebec County Jail upon release. Pearle and Zebbie Thomas are charged with Eluding, Driving to Endanger and Failure to Stop. West Gardiner and Gardiner Fire Department’s assisted on scene.

On Saturday, May 3, 2025, at approximately 7:58 AM, Maine State Police Troop G responded to a report of a tractor-trailer crash near mile marker 30 northbound on the Maine Turnpike in Arundel. Troopers arrived to find the tractor-trailer had struck the median guardrail and caught fire.

The driver, who sustained minor injuries, is believed to have suffered a medical event prior to the crash. He was transported to Southern Maine Medical Center in Biddeford for treatment.

The tractor-trailer was loaded with general freight. As a result of the crash, the left and middle northbound lanes were closed for several hours while crews worked to investigate and clear the scene. Traffic was moderately impacted. The crash remains under investigation.

Agencies assisting at the scene included Wells Fire, Kennebunk Fire, Chandler’s Towing, National Towing, and the Maine Turnpike Authority.

On Monday, May 5, 2025, at approximately 1:42 PM, Maine State Police Troopers responded to a report of a two-vehicle crash at 1277 Sokokis Trail North in Cornish.

The initial investigation indicates that 51-year-old Dawn Webber of Limerick was operating a Ford Fusion northbound on Sokokis Trail when she crossed the center line and veered into oncoming traffic. Her vehicle collided head-on with a Ford F-350 commercial vehicle that was towing a trailer carrying two pickup trucks. The driver of the Ford F-350 was not injured. Webber was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The road was closed for approximately six hours while members of the Maine State Police Traffic Safety Unit reconstructed the scene. The Commercial Vehicle Unit also assisted, along with surrounding fire and EMS agencies. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

The annual observance at the Maine Law Enforcement Officers Memorial will take place on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. The memorial, located on State Street near the Maine State Capitol in Augusta, honors Maine law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.

The Maine Law Enforcement Officers Memorial was dedicated on May 25, 1991, by the Maine Chiefs of Police Association. Michael Tracy, Executive Director of the Association and former Oakland Police Chief, said, “This memorial service is a time for all of us—law enforcement and community members—to come together and honor the courage, sacrifice, and service of Maine’s fallen officers. We invite the public to join us in remembering the heroes behind the badges and supporting the families they left behind.”

This year, the Maine Chiefs of Police Memorial Committee received applications to have two additional names inscribed on the memorial wall. Following a review process, the committee voted to include both names. The new names will be added to the memorial, bringing the total number of honored officers to 90.

• Richard A. Betters, Portland Police Department – Died on January 14, 2009, after suffering a heart attack shortly after entering a burning building and helping evacuate residents while working his shift.

• Herbert G. Tarbox, Falmouth Police Department – Died on April 19, 1959, after suffering a heart attack while administering first aid to an individual who had collapsed.

The ceremony will be attended by police officers from across the state, families of the fallen, dignitaries, and members of the public. Governor Janet Mills will deliver the keynote address as part of the commemoration.