Man arrested for appearing near school in a Star Wars stormtrooper costume

When George Cross of Lynn, Massachusetts, bought a stormtrooper costume from the Star Wars franchise, he decided to wander around the neighborhood showing friends. But when he got too close to a local elementary school about to let out for the day, Cross found himself arrested and charged with disturbing and loitering near a school.

(7News Boston WHDH-TV)

While Cross meant no harm, parents at the school found the costume, which included a toy gun, disconcerting.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up

"I honestly opened my screen window, stuck my head out the window, and I was just like, 'Wow,'" said parent Jami Kelly. The local police agreed, saying, "We just can't have things like that taking place in front of the school."

As the local news report noted, parents could at least take comfort in the fact that stormtroopers are notorious for having terrible aim.