Man with flamethrowers, ammunition arrested outside North Carolina church

A man wearing body armor was arrested outside a North Carolina church during Sunday morning services after officers found flamethrowers, crossbows and more than 500 rounds of ammunition in his truck, according to police.

The incident happened at about 10:15 a.m. Sunday at Wesley Memorial Church in High Point, a city in central North Carolina, where someone called 911 to report an armed man sitting in a truck in the parking lot, according to the High Point Police Department.

The caller said the man was wearing camouflage and appeared to have a gun. An off-duty officer working at the church responded immediately, and other officers arrived within minutes.

Police said the man was disarmed and arrested without incident. No injuries were reported.

The suspect was identified as William S. Milliken III, 44, of Thomasville. Police said he was wearing a plate carrier, a type of body armor, when he was taken into custody.

During a search of his truck, officers found a CO2-powered launcher designed to resemble a handgun, two flamethrowers, two crossbows, more than 500 rounds of ammunition, rolls of black duct tape, three knives and oxycodone pills.

Court documents also showed Milliken had a notebook with addresses of churches and schools, police scanners and body armor in his truck, High Point Mayor Cyril Jefferson said. The documents also said Milliken is believed to have mental health issues.

Milliken was charged with possession of a weapon of mass destruction, impersonating a law enforcement officer and possession of a Schedule II controlled substance. Police did not release a possible motive or say why Milliken was outside the church.

Milliken is being held at the Guilford County Jail in High Point.