JAY — Police said a Hiram man was charged Thursday in the theft of two vehicles in Jay, one this week and one in May.

Jay Police Detective Michael Mejia said he issued a summons on two misdemeanor charges of unauthorized use of property to Zebbie Thomas Jr., 23, at the Franklin County jail in Farmington.

State police arrested Thomas at his home at 60 Sebago Road on Tuesday, according to a news release by Lt. Walter Grzyb, commanding officer of Maine State Police Troop B in Gray. They recovered both vehicles.

A 2002 Toyota Corolla was stolen from a Claybrook Road residence between Sunday afternoon and Monday evening, and a truck was stolen in May from TNL Auto off Crash Road, Mejia said.

State police investigator Adam Fillebrown determined Thomas was involved in the Corolla’s theft and, along with other troopers and a deputy from Oxford County, went to Thomas’ home. He attempted to flee from a second-story window and was confronted by Fillebrown and his K-9, Aros. He went back into the house and was found hiding in a closet, Grzyb said.

“Thomas confessed to stealing the Toyota and brought Trooper Fillebrown to its location in the woods across from the residence,” Grzyb said. “Thomas also admitted to stealing a 1994 Chevrolet pickup from Jay on May 31 and leading York County deputies on a high-speed chase at that time.”

The Chevrolet was found in southern Maine, Jay Police Chief Richard Caton IV said.

Thomas also had a warrant charging him with failure to submit to arrest and probation revocation, Grzyb said.

Thomas was taken to the Oxford County Jail in South Paris and then to Franklin County jail in Farmington.

He went before a judge in Farmington on Wednesday on a Jay warrant related to refusing to stop for police on April 26, and a probation revocation charge.

Defense attorney Christopher Berryment entered a denial on Thomas’ behalf to the probation revocation. Judge Charles Dow set a hearing for Sept. 9. Berryment also entered a not guilty plea to the warrant charge. Bail was set at $1,000 cash on that charge.

dperry@sunmediagroup.net