'Petoskey Batman' gets probation

PETOSKEY, Mich., Oct. 20 (UPI) -- A Michigan man nicknamed the "Petoskey Batman" after he was arrested while wearing a Batman costume on a rooftop was sentenced to six months of probation.

Mark Wayne Williams, 32, of Harbor Springs, was arrested May 11 after being spotted on a Petoskey rooftop while wearing a Batman costume and carrying weapons including a baton-like striking weapon, a can of chemical irritant spray and a pair of sand-filled Sap gloves.

He was sentenced to probation Monday in Emmet County's 57th Circuit Court, the Petoskey News-Review reported Thursday.

Williams pleaded guilty to one count of attempted resisting, obstructing a police officer and other charges, including felony weapons charges, were dropped as part of the plea agreement.

Williams, who said he had no intention of using the weapons and had climbed to the roof of the building to evade a group of people who were chasing him, also was sentenced to six months in jail with credit for two days served and the rest of the term held in abeyance.

Williams said he is part of an organized group of costumed "superheroes" who aim to prevent crime and reach out to the homeless in their areas. He was banned from wearing his Batman costume for the duration of his probation.