Joshua Michael Richardson visited St. Michael's Abbey on Aug. 26 and made threats. A priest reported the in-person threats two days later and provided previously received emailed threats. Authorities located and detained Richardson in his vehicle in a Santa Monica parking structure. A search of the vehicle recovered body armor, high-capacity magazines, brass knuckles and knives. Richardson was arrested and booked on suspicion of making criminal threats and later charged with criminal threats, possession of a deadly weapon, carrying a dirk or dagger, and possession of a large-capacity magazine. Local patrols and the abbey's private security have been increased.
Investigators believe Richardson drove from Alabama and arrived in California on Tuesday, Aug. 26, McCann said. Officials searched Richardson's vehicle and found body armor, high-capacity magazines, brass knuckles and knives, the Sheriff's Department said. Richardson was then arrested and booked on suspicion of making criminal threats. He does not have a history of violent crime, McCann said. On Tuesday, Sept. 1, he was charged with one count each of criminal threats, possession of a deadly weapon,
Investigators don't believe there is any connection between the threats and the Annunciation Catholic Church shooting in Minneapolis that killed two children and injured more than a dozen other children and three adults. Since the arrest, the Sheriff's Department has increased patrol checks in the area around the monastery, and the abbey has also increased its private security, McCann said.
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