Zombies booked for carrying fake WMDs
Zombies booked for carrying fake WMDsMINNEAPOLIS - Six friends spruced up in fake blood and tattered
clothing were arrested in downtown Minneapolis on suspicion of toting
"simulated weapons of mass destruction."
Police said the group were allegedly carrying bags with wires sticking
out, making it look like a bomb, while meandering and dancing to music
as part of a "zombie dance party" Saturday night.
"They were
arrested for behavior that was suspicious and disturbing," said Lt.
Gregory Reinhardt, a police spokesman. Police also said the group was
uncooperative and intimidated people with their "ghoulish" makeup.
One group member said the "weapons" were actually backpacks modified to
carry a homemade stereos and were jailed without reason. None of the
six adults and one juvenile arrested have been charged.
"Given
the circumstance of them being uncooperative ... why would you have
those (bags) if not to intimidate people?" said Inspector Janee
Harteau. "It's not a case of (police) overreacting."
Harteau
also said police were on high alert because they'd gotten a bulletin
about men who wear clown makeup while attacking and robbing people in
other states.
Kate Kibby, one of those arrested, said previous
zombie dance parties at the Mall of America and on light-rail trains
have occurred without incident. Last fall, nearly 200 people took part
in a "zombie pub crawl" in northeast Minneapolis.