A Virginia police department said a man dressed as Batman villain The Joker was spotted walking around in public with a sword and was arrested for violating laws against wearing masks in public. Photo courtesy of the Winchester Police Department

A Virginia police department said a man dressed as Batman villain The Joker was spotted walking around in public with a sword and was arrested for violating laws against wearing masks in public. Photo courtesy of the Winchester Police Department

March 27 (UPI) -- Police in Virginia said they arrested a man dressed as Batman villain The Joker after receiving several calls about him walking around with a sword.

The Winchester Police Department said its Emergency Communications Center received several calls about 2 p.m. Friday about a "suspicious male" dressed as The Joker -- specifically, the incarnation played by Heath Ledger in 2008's The Dark Knight -- walking along city roads while wearing a black cape and carrying a sword.


The man was intercepted by officers on South Pleasant Valley Road.

Jeremy Putman, 31, was charged with wearing a mask in public and taken to the Northwestern Regional Adult Detention Center in lieu of $2,000 bond.

"Police have received several similar reports over the last week. Officers do not believe there are additional suspects, but want to remind the community of the seriousness of the crime," the department said in a news release.

"Please remember -- it is a Felony to wear a mask or cover your face in public," police said in a Facebook post.