March 25 (UPI) — Virginia police arrested a 31-year-old man who was dressed like the Joker from the 2008 The Dark Knight movie after he spooked several local residents.
Jeremy Putman, 31, was arrested on a charge of wearing a mask in public and is being held at the Northwestern Regional Adult Detention Center in Winchester, Va. He was also carrying a sword and wearing a cape, police said.
Police said they were alerted to the man after local residents called authorities. Police had recieved similar reports of a masked man in the area.
Virginia law states is it illegal for anyone over age 16 to “conceal his identity, wear any mask, hood, or other device, whereby a substantial portion of the face is hidden or covered” unless it is a traditional holiday costume or involves an employment activity.
The felony mask-wearing charge is punishable with up to five years in jail.
“Officers do not believe there are additional suspects, but want to remind the community of the seriousness of the crime,” police said.
