Police Arrest Clown Mask-Wearing Man Near New Britain High School

NEW BRITAIN, CT — A 39-year-old man was arrested by New Britain police Thursday after he allegedly donned a clown mask and rode around in a car near New Britain High School, causing police and school officials to place the school on lockdown for an hour.

Two students reported seeing the man wearing the mask while he was in the passenger seat just before 10 a.m., according to police. The female driver, who was not seen wearing a mask, blasted music and beeped the horn to draw attention to themselves.

"School Resource Officers and School Security personnel worked to assure the safety of students, staff, and visitors within the school," New Britain police wrote in a statement. "Members of the New Britain Police Department responded to the school and searched the area for the vehicle. The high school campus remained in lockdown until 11 a.m. Police Officers were stationed outside the school for the remainder of the school day."

No students were injured and parents/guardians were notified about the lockdown via the Consolidated School District’s ConnectEd notification system.

"The investigation led to identifying Mary Vega as the driver of the vehicle and Johnston Cox as the passenger wearing the clown mask," police said, but did not disclose how the two became suspects.

Both turned themselves into police custody and were charged with second-degree breach of peace.
Vega, 34, is from New Britain, while Cox is from Windsor, and both are being held in lieu of $10,000 bonds.

Written by Al Branch (Patch Staff)

Photo: Johnston Cox, left, and Mary Vega. Photo credit: New Britain Police Department