DERRY — Stopped for driving 112 mph, a Maine man found with an arsenal of weapons and news clippings of the Colorado movie theater massacre told police Sunday he was headed to Derry to shoot his former employer.

Timothy Courtois, 49, of Biddeford, Maine, is facing charges after a traffic stop on the Maine Turnpike that uncovered an AK-47 assault weapon, four handguns and several boxes of ammunition, Maine State Police said,

But there was more.

Courtois told police that he had attended the new Batman movie at Cinemagic in Saco, Maine, Saturday night with a loaded gun in his backpack. After he was stopped southbound on the turnpike around 10 a.m. Sunday, he claimed he was on his way to Derry to shoot a former unidentified employer who lives in town.

State police said motorists spotted Courtois speeding with his four-way lights flashing. A short time later, he was pulled over after a trooper clocked his car at 112 mph.

In addition to the weaponry found in the car, state police said a search of his home at 344 Elm St. in Biddeford later Sunday turned up several more guns, including a machine gun, and thousands of rounds of ammunition.

The arrest came two days after 12 people were gunned down at a Colorado theater during a midnight showing of “The Dark Knight Rises.”

State and federal authorities are trying to determine exactly what Courtois planned to do with the weapons.

Derry police Capt. Vernon Thomas said his department contacted Maine State Police after learning about the possible Derry connection from the media.

“We need to get information from them to find out exactly what was going on,” Thomas said.

Courtois was arraigned in Springvale District Court Monday afternoon on initial charges of having a concealed weapon and criminal speed. He is being held on $50,000 cash bail at the York County jail.

The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms are assisting state police in the investigation.

The York County District Attorney's Office and the U.S. Attorney's Office in Portland will also review the case to see if Courtois will face more charges.

Had just left job

Just days before his arrest, Courtois had left his job at Rousseau Insurance Agency in Biddeford, Maine, according to his Facebook page.

Marc Rousseau, owner of Rousseau Insurance Agency, spoke highly of Courtois and his job performance during the years he worked with him after leaving Appletree Insurance.

“He was just a great person and a great employee. He did anything and everything you asked him to do. He was a very cooperative person,” Rousseau said. “Unfortunately there are things that occur in a person's life that can change them. It's a sad day because he was such a great guy.”

On his Facebook page, Courtois described himself as a “humble and loyal servant” when writing about Rousseau Insurance Agency.

“... I have some of the best employers/co-workers AND I've had many!!!” he wrote.

On the same day, he wrote “it has begun” and posted a link to a website about starting an independent insurance agency.

“He had a million plans,” Rousseau said.

jschreiber@newstote.com