Man in Army Fatigues Arrested in Pennsylvania Theater Allegedly Had Stolen Gun, Ammunition and Respirator

Police became suspicious when they spotted him in long-sleeved fatigues and a large backpack in the summer heat

Photo: RJ Sangosti/Getty

Pennsylvania police arrested a man inside a packed movie theater Saturday night after a search of his backpack allegedly turned up a stolen handgun, a box of bullets, a respirator and other items, PEOPLE confirms.

According to a criminal complaint obtained by PEOPLE, officers stationed near the Cinemark Movie Theater in Center Township became suspicious of 21-year-old William Gossett when they spotted him in long-sleeved army fatigues carrying a large backpack in the 94-degree weather.

According to the complaint, Gossett allegedly noticed officers heading towards him and darted inside the movie theater, hiding in the bathroom.

When officers approached him, Gossett, a Georgia resident, allegedly told them he was there to watch the movie The Purge: Election Year.

• Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter.

Officers asked to search his bag and Gossett allegedly allowed them; officers allegedly found a loaded semi-automatic handgun and a box of ammunition.

The criminal complaint alleges 52 items were recovered from Gossett’s bag, including a respirator, two cans of black spray paint, black tape, a pair of gloves, electrical cords, two first aid kits and a handwritten note. Police are not detailing the contents of the alleged note.

According to the complaint, Gossett allegedly provided police with a false name initially.

Police say they do not know what Gossett allegedly might have been planning.

Cinemark employees told police Gossett had been hanging around the theater for two hours, according to the complaint. The affidavit also says Gossett told investigators he’d walked to the theater from Georgia and had found the handgun along the way.

A records check showed the firearm had been stolen from an Ohio resident.

A spokesperson for Cinemark did not return PEOPLE’s calls seeking comment.

The criminal complaint says Gossett had two previous convictions in his home state.

Gossett has been charged with receiving stolen property and unlawful firearms possession. He is being held on $25,000 bail and it was unclear from court records whether he’s retained legal counsel or entered a plea.