By Mark Price
The Herald (Rock Hill, S.C.)
THOMASVILLE, N.C. — A man impersonating a law enforcement officer was armed with two flamethrowers, two crossbows, a pepper ball launcher and multiple knives when he showed up during Sunday church services, North Carolina investigators say.
The discovery was made around 10:15 a.m. Sunday, in the parking lot of Wesley Memorial Church in High Point, according to the High Point Police Department.
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William S. Milliken III, 44, was arrested after someone called 911 to report “an armed man” dressed in camouflage clothing was sitting in a truck, officials said.
“Thanks to the quick action of our officers, a man armed with weapons was taken into custody before anyone was hurt,” Police Chief Curtis Cheeks III said in a June 29 news release.
“The officers prevented a potentially dangerous situation from escalating and helped ensure everyone attending church services could return home safely. We also want to thank the community members who recognized a potential danger and had the courage to speak up.”
Milliken is charged with felony possessing a weapon of mass destruction, misdemeanor impersonating a law enforcement officer and possession of a controlled substance, according to court documents.
Details of a motive have not been released and detectives have not said if the suspect has ties to the congregation.
Investigators say he was initially confronted by an off-duty police officer who was working at the church. Milliken identified himself as a law enforcement officer, and said he was enforcing a smoking violation at the church, court documents say.
“Additional officers arrived within a few minutes. The officers disarmed the man and took him into custody without incident,” police said.
Milliken was wearing body armor and a search of his vehicle revealed:
- CO2-powered launcher, designed to resemble a handgun
- Two flamethrowers
- Two crossbows
- More than 500 rounds of ammunition
- Rolls of black duct tape (three yards)
- Three knives
- Oxycodone pills
Milliken also had a notebook with the addresses of churches, schools and public buildings in the community, according to court documents.
High Point is about a 75-mile drive northeast from uptown Charlotte.
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