Nassau County Man Found With Loaded Assault Rifle, Tactical Vest, Body Armor In Car

MINEOLA (CBSNewYork) -- If you see something, say something. Apparently someone on Long Island did just that and the result, the arrest of a man that police said had an arsenal of illegal, loaded weapons in his car, and home, and was posing as a federal agent.

A Nassau County man faces weapons charges after a traffic stop in Syosset Thursday night, officials said.

Special Investigation Squad detectives were involved in a joint investigation with the Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Transportation Security Administration when they pulled Mark Vicars over on Jericho Turnpike at around 7:40 p.m., authorities said.

Police found a knife, a loaded pistol, a loaded assault rifle, body armor and a tactical vest with three high-capacity magazines in his car when he was pulled over, authorities said.

Authorities said they were acting on a tip when they pulled Vicars over, 1010 WINS' Mona Rivera reported.

As CBS2's Carolyn Gusoff reported, prosecutors said Vicars is an unemployed fitness trainer with a troubling arsenal.

"A Daniel Defense loaded 223 caliber assault rifle, along with ballistic body armor, and tactical vest which had 3 magazines each containing 30 rounds each," Det. Lt. Richard LeBrun, Nassau County Police, explained.

A search warrant of his home turned up numerous additional weapons and roughly 8,300 rounds of ammunition, officials said.

Neighbors in the gated Hidden Ridge community where he lives with his wife and stepson were already on edge from the San Bernardino and Paris terror, and said they couldn't believe what was right there.

"It's crazy, but then again the world is crazy, so I'm not surprised, but it's scary," one neighbor said.

The arrest was part of a joint investigation with the terrorism task force, but police said Vicars has no known ties to any terror group.

Vicars faces charges of criminal possession of a weapon and possession of a forged instrument. His court appointed attorney said he adamantly denies the charges and did not not try to hurt anyone. He said the guns were all legal, but authorities alleged that they were not registered.

Bail was set at $300,000. How and where Vicars got the guns is under investigation.

Police ask members of the public to come forward if they believe Vicars pulled them over, WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reported.