A man has been arrested after he was seen walking around dressed as comic book supervillain the Joker, police in the US have said.

In a statement, Winchester Police in the state of Virginia said they had "several calls" from members of the public about a suspicious man in a black cape and carrying a sword on Friday afternoon.

Jeremy Putman, 31, has been charged with wearing a mask in public, a felony that could see him jailed for up to five years if he is convicted.

Police said they had received several similar reports over the past week but they do not believe there are any more suspects.

Image: Putman could be jailed for up to five years if he is convicted. Pic: local police

Police in Winchester, which is about 75 miles west of Washington DC, said they also wanted to "remind the community of the seriousness" of wearing a mask.


Under the state's law, it is unlawful for anyone over 16 to wear a mask, hood or anything that hides or covers a substantial part of their face with the intent to conceal their identity in a public place.

Putman is being held at the Northwestern Regional Adult Detention Center on a $2,000 (£1,600) secured bond.