Speed Reads

fear is the path to the dark side

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.

"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.