A Salisbury man was charged Friday night after he told police he was wearing a mask because he was trick-or-treating.
Authorities said Ricky Warren Steele Jr., did not have candy or a bag, but was carrying a sharpened metal shank with red tape around the handle.
He was stopped near the Wilco-Hess Service Station in the 500 block of East Innes Street at about 10 p.m. The arrest came 10 days short of Halloween.
Officers responded to calls about a man wearing a mask, the report said.
When they approached Steele, officers said, the man fled, but was caught shortly after a brief foot chase.
Police said they found the weapon, also called a shiv, as they searched the man. The crude weapon was listed as a “puncturing” type in the report.
Steele, 508 E. Fisher St., was charged with misdemeanor carrying a concealed weapon.
He was given a $1,000 bond and was in jail on Monday.