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Maryland police thwart possible massacre by ‘The Joker’

Posted at 5:11 PM, Jul 27, 2012
and last updated 2012-07-27 17:59:17-04

Crofton, MD. (WTVR)--Police in Maryland say they may have just prevented another massacre like the one in Colorado. 

They’ve arrested a man they say threatened people at his work, had an arsenal of weapons in his home and called himself “The Joker.” 

Authorities say they found 25 firearms including semi-automatic rifles and pistols, and several thousand rounds of ammunition inside an apartment in Maryland.

They discovered the arsenal after 28-year old Neil Prescott phoned in threats against the mail supply company, Pitney Bowes. 

“He said, I’m a Joker and I’m going to load my guns and blow everyone up,” Chief Mark Magaw, Prince George’s County Police, said.

Authorities say  Prescott had been working as a subcontractor for Pitney Bowes at this warehouse for years, but his supervisor was in the process of firing him.

When police went to his apartment, Prescott admitted making the threats.

“The individual was wearing a t-shirt that said ‘Guns don’t kill people, I do,” Deputy Chief Hank Stawinski, Prince George’s County Police, said.

Federal agents were called in and police evacuated some of Prescott’s neighbors  for their safety, and took him into custody.  Authorities say Prescott went quietly and cooperated.

The incident comes exactly one week after the movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado that left 12 people  dead and dozens injured.

“We take all threats seriously.  And if you’re going to make a threat, we will take action,” Chief Magaw said.

Authorities took Prescott for an emergency mental health evaluation before filing charges.

Police say Prescott does not appear to be connected to any terror group.