Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Kickball Pirate Arrested with Sword in Macy's
By
Jen Carlson
Published May 26, 2008
Modified May 26, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published May 26, 2008
Modified May 26, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Brooklyn kickball team Los Pirates Mechanicos (pictured) are down one man as of yesterday; Lawrence Jackson (better known as Lance) was arrested for carrying around a rusty pirate sword (also pictured) in Macy's. Unsurprisingly, the NYPD took it for a weapon, not a recreational sports prop.
While the "Free Lance!" comments come in on the team's MySpace profile, the NY Post tosses around labels like "bonehead," "rabblerouser" and "kook" amongst their descriptives of the Greenpoint kickballer. Jackson was allegedly at Macy's shopping for eyeglasses with his 8-months pregnant girlfriend Teresa. The couple, who were planning to go to McCarren Park for a game post-Macy's, didn't expect any problems from carrying around the giant metal sword (surprisingly, no one had reacted to it on the subway system earlier that day).
Teresa told the paper, "It's metal, but it's a fake sword. It's not like he was going to hurt anyone." Meanwhile, the cops noted that the couple "didn't think there was anything wrong with it. He thought it was a toy. But it's not a toy. It's sharp." Reportedly Jackson frightened some shoppers, and the sword was heavy enough to make a loud noise when he dropped it.
As if being arrested for carrying around a sword meant for a kickball game wasn't enough, Jackson was also busted for marijuana possession and he has an outstanding pot warrant already! The Pirates have been known to smoke up while they play, something that's even alluded to in photos online. Kickballers take note, the Brooklyn Kickball page warns: "the pot you smoke could get ya busted. or Trouble."
UPDATE: The captain of the kickball team wrote in with the following comment.
We at Los Piratas Mechanicos (The Mechanical Pirates) ARRR like a family.We bring props, dress up like pirates, wear eyepatches and say ARRR all the time. We fly flags and throw water balloons. This is what we do. We ARRR the Pirates of Kickball. Lance has been an crucial part of this team for many years now. He was one of the first people to make me feel a part of the team I now lead. It is very unfortunate that Lance decided to take the sword and walk around with it in Macy's. The sword was actually supposed to be given to me as the official transference of captianship. So in a way I feel like it's partly my fault. We hope for his speedy release.
Tagged
arrest
kickball
Lance
Lawrence Jackson
macy's
mccarren park
pirates
sword
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Need help with mental health or addiction services? NYC has a new tool.
In surveys, many who say they want want help state they don't know where to start.
By
Caroline Lewis
Published Oct 19, 2026 at 6:30 a.m. ET
NYC sues personal injury law firm accused of bogus trip-and-fall claims
City attorneys allege the firm said its clients were injured by defective city streets or sidewalks when in reality they were hit by cars or banged up in fights.
By
Walter Wuthmann
News
NYC sues personal injury law firm accused of bogus trip-and-fall claims
City attorneys allege the firm said its clients were injured by defective city streets or sidewalks when in reality they were hit by cars or banged up in fights.
By
Walter Wuthmann
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
By
Catalina Gonella
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
By
Giulia Heyward
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
By
Gino Fanelli
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .