Police rein in stormtrooper

LYNN – A man dressed as one of the stormtroopers from the “Star Wars” movies, complete with toy gun, has found out that being in a school zone with no specific purpose has very real-life consequences.Wednesday, around 1:30 p.m. – shortly before the Brickett School?s dismissal time – police received numerous calls about a person dressed up as one of the movie?s troopers, complete with a helmet and gun, in front of the school?s main entrance on Lewis Street.The man, identified as George Cross, 40, of 55 Burrill Ave., was arrested and charged with a school disturbance and a violation of a city ordinance of loitering within 1,000 feet of a school zone.Police responded at about 1:33 p.m., and officers Ralph Sirois and Michael O?Connor quickly confirmed the black plastic laser gun Cross was holding was a toy, Lt. Dave Brown of the Lynn Police said. Still, he said, the scene alarmed parents, who didn?t know who the person was, or whether the weapon was real.?The responding officers learned that he had just purchased the costume, and thought that the children would like the outfit,” Brown said. “He did not have a child or a relative attending the school, and he was not there to pick anyone up.”Although police said Cross didn?t intend to harm anyone, school authorities took immediate action to protect students.?The school?s principal did a great job and made the right decision to delay the school?s dismissal until the officers arrived,” Brown said. “At no time was anyone in any danger, but his inappropriate actions caused quite the commotion.”Cross was arraigned in Lynn District Court Thursday.