LEWISTON — Marvin O. Thomas, 40, was arrested on July 9, 2024, and charged with felony first-degree stalking in Lewiston. Court documents allege Thomas followed an off-duty police officer while possessing a large axe in his vehicle.

An off-duty officer observed headlights approaching while driving on Vern Lane in the early morning hours on July 9. Court documents allege Thomas attempted to pass the officer and yelled at him through a rolled-down window. The officer unholstered his off-duty weapon, citing concern over Thomas's behavior.

Patrol vehicles intercepted Thomas's vehicle on Thain Road. Court documents state Thomas pulled into an Anytime Fitness parking lot upon seeing police cars. Officers reported finding a portable police scanner on the vehicle's dashboard during the arrest. They also reported finding a wood-splitting axe near the driver's seat, positioned in a manner that appeared readily accessible.

Court documents allege Thomas had been tracking police for weeks prior to the arrest. Police staff had been advised to be cautious of Thomas's vehicle when leaving the Lewiston Police Department parking lot. Officers were familiar with Thomas, who reportedly idled in the courthouse parking lot and watched the department for months, according to court documents.

Court documents allege Thomas made statements about following another officer coming off shifts. On July 8, Thomas told an officer, "I'm clocking schedules, watching new hires, watching the hiring process, watching all the prosecutors." A Lewiston police dispatcher reported several encounters with Thomas in June at the courthouse parking lot, near her residence, and at TriState Health.

Thomas is held in Nez Perce County Jail on a $150,000 bond. He is scheduled for a competency evaluation review on July 24 in Nez Perce County Second District Court.