A man with local ties is behind bars in California after being arrested while heavily armed on his way to a gay pride parade in West Hollywood.

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A man with local ties is behind bars in California after being arrested while heavily armed on his way to a gay pride parade in West Hollywood.Police said it was several neighbors in Santa Monica, reporting a suspicious man late Saturday night and early Sunday morning, that led them to James Howell, 20, from Jeffersonville, Indiana.They said that when they arrested him, they found three assault rifles, high-capacity magazines and ammunition and a 5-gallon bucket with chemicals that could be used to make an explosive device.“There were several firearms, some rifles, some high powered magazines, then the chemicals again that could be used for an improvised explosive device,” Santa Monica police Lt. Saul Rodriguez said.Howell admitted, according to police, he was heading to a gay pride event, but did not reveal what he planned to do there.Those living in his Jeffersonville, Indiana, neighborhood were not initially caught off guard to hear of Howell’s arrest.“It doesn't surprise me too much. I knew the kid had weapons, but I mean it's obviously more extreme than what we thought,” Daniel Rumbley, who lives next door, said.“This kid, unfortunately, has had a lot of disturbing signs, but the parents definitely need to take some responsibility here,” neighbor Kristopher Haire said. Haire told WLKY he tried to befriend his neighbors' son, even offering him a job at the southern Indiana car dealership he manages. But almost immediately, according to his wife Lauren Haire, the relationship soured.“My convertible top got slashed, so did our grill cover,” Lauren Haire said, adding Howell also began verbally threatening the couple. The pair end up involving police, but not pressing charges. Later, the couple made the decision to increase security at their home.“He just seemed lost. Seemed really lost, like he didn't know where he was going,” Kristopher Haire said.In October, Howell was arrested for threatening neighbors in Charlestown with a gun. A one year prison sentence was diverted, in favor of strict probation.Howell attended Louisville’s Ballard High School before ultimately being home schooled by his parents.Those who went to school with Howell remember a quiet classmate who was prone to fighting.