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

In North Carolina, police say a man was arrested outside a church after officers found him armed with crossbows, two flamethrowers and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

According to a news release from the High Point Police Department, authorities received a 911 call Sunday reporting an “armed person sitting in the parking lot” of Wesley Memorial Church in High Point.

The caller told dispatchers the man, identified as 44-year-old William S. Milliken III, was wearing camouflage and appeared to be armed with a gun.

Police said an off-duty officer who was already at the church quickly spotted Milliken, and responding officers arrived within minutes to help take him into custody.

Milliken III booking picture

Milliken III has been charged with possession of a weapon of mass destruction, impersonation of a law enforcement officer and possession of a Schedule II controlled substance. (Guilford County Jail)

After the arrest, investigators searched Milliken’s truck and reported finding two flamethrowers, two crossbows, more than 500 rounds of ammunition, rolls of black duct tape, three knives, oxycodone pills and a carbon dioxide-powered launcher made to look like a handgun.

Wesley Memorial Church

Wesley Memorial Church in High Point, N.C. (Google Maps)

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.

He was charged with possession of a weapon of mass destruction, impersonating a law enforcement officer and possession of a Schedule II controlled substance.

High Point Police cruiser

Undated picture of a High Point Police Department cruiser (High Point Police Department)

Milliken III is being held at the Guilford County Jail, and his bond was set at $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 said. “The officers prevented a potentially dangerous situation from escalating and helped ensure everyone attending church services could return home safely.

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