North Carolina man armed with flamethrowers, crossbows, 500 rounds arrested outside church: police

A North Carolina man was arrested outside a church armed with crossbows, two flamethrowers and 500 rounds of ammunition, police said.

The High Point Police Department wrote in a news release that someone called 911 on Sunday to report an "armed person sitting in the parking lot" of Wesley Memorial Church in High Point, North Carolina.

The caller said the man, William S. Milliken III, 44, was armed with a gun and wearing camouflage.

An off-duty officer at the church spotted the suspect immediately, and with help from officers who arrived within minutes, took him into custody.

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After Milliken III was arrested, officers searched his truck and found two flamethrowers, two crossbows, over 500 rounds of ammunition, rolls of black duct tape, three knives, oxycodone pills and a CO2-powered launcher designed to resemble a handgun, police said.

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According to WFMY, court documents also allege that the suspect had a notebook with addresses of churches, schools and public buildings, GPS coordinates, body armor, radios with police scanners, handcuff keys as well as an enlarged map of North Carolina.

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He was charged with possession of a weapon of mass destruction, impersonation of law enforcement officer, and possession of control substance schedule II.

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Milliken III is being held at the Guilford County Jail and has a bond of $250,000.

High Point Police Chief Curtis Cheeks III said he is thankful the suspect was stopped before anyone was hurt.

"Thanks to the quick action of our officers, a man armed with weapons was taken into custody before anyone was hurt," Cheeks III said. "The officers prevented a potentially dangerous situation from escalating and helped ensure everyone attending church services could return home safely.