Cops: Man who threatened guard had weapons

A Brookhaven man who threatened a marina security guard was arrested on multiple charges after police found loaded assault rifles, marijuana plants and a bulletproof vest at his home, Suffolk police said.

At his arraignment Monday at First District Court in Central Islip, Thomas Lippens, 24, of Bond Lane, pleaded not guilty to charges of menacing, criminal possession of a weapon and unlawful possession of marijuana, police said. He was released on $750 cash and is due to return Sept. 25. Lippens could not be reached for comment Monday.

The incident began when Lippens and his parents were denied access to Squassux Landing Marina on Beaver Dam Road in Brookhaven Sunday because a security guard there said they did not have a proper key to enter the marina, police said.

Lippens "became irate and threatened the security guard," and indicated he would come back with a gun, police said.

Police said that about 15 minutes later, about 1:15 p.m., Lippens returned on a dirt bike, brandishing what appeared to be a handgun. He threatened to kill the security guard, then left on the bike, police said.

After Fifth Precinct Officer Jeremy Fanning questioned witnesses and the security guard, Fanning found the car the Lippenses were driving in the marina parking lot and obtained the family's home address.

When Officers Mike Campbell and Paul Parasmo, also of the Fifth Precinct, went to Lippens' home, he tried to flee, police said. He was arrested after a brief struggle. Police said they found several weapons and ammunition, including the assault rifles, the bulletproof vest, martial arts weapons, more than 20 marijuana plants and drug paraphernalia. The home belongs to Lippens' parents, and they have not been charged, police said.