Mark Vicars, with shot of his weapons (NCPD)
A Long Island man who was allegedly posing as a federal air marshal was arrested after cops say they found a loaded pistol and assault rifle in his car, along with other weapons.
Mark Vicars, 49, was pulled over while driving on Jericho Turnpike in Syosset around 7:40 a.m. Thursday. Vicars, who activated police-style emergency lights on the dashboard of his car as the stop was happening, showed them a fake US Marshals shield and identification credentials (and a fake Marshals parking placard). Authorities found a .223 assault rifle, a loaded pistol, a knife, a tactical vest with three high-capacity magazines and body armor in the car. There were more than 500 rounds of ammunition in the SUV alone.
After searching his home, they found even more weapons, including five unregistered firearms and 8,300 rounds of ammunition. Nevertheless, authorities said they found no anti-American literature or links to terrorism, and there was no immediate threat. "We don't see any nexus to any terrorism at this time," Nassau County spokesman Det. Lt. Richard LeBrun told reporters. "The officers involved were a little shocked [by all the weapons], but they are professionals and did their job appropriately."
Vicars, who works as a personal fitness trainer, was charged with multiple counts of criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a forged instrument. He also was arraigned on drug possession charges for having medications for which he did not a prescription.
The Daily News notes that Vicars' had an amount of firepower "comparable to what terror couple Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik had" during last week's horrific San Bernardino shooting. A woman who identified herself as his mother confirmed to the News, "We do have guns," she said. "I really don't want to get into this. You've knocked me off my feet."