Authorities say a convicted felon claimed he was “preparing for the Armageddon” after he was found with 18 guns, drugs and 8,500 rounds of ammunition at his home in Winthrop Harbor.

Officers with the Winthrop Harbor Police Department around 10 p.m. Sunday observed numerous cannabis plants being cultivated in a residential backyard in the 900 block of Fulton Avenue.

Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Theis said officers spotted a loose dog at a gas station and followed it to a home nearby where they observed the cannabis plants after smelling an overwhelming odor of fresh cannabis.

Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Theis said officers spotted a loose dog at a gas station and followed it to a home nearby where they observed the cannabis plants after smelling an overwhelming odor of fresh cannabis.

A search warrant was obtained for the property and served around 4 p.m. Monday.

Theis said police recovered 23 cannabis plants, 614.8 grams of cannabis, 22 grams of psilocybin and 223 Xanax pills.

They also recovered 16 high-powered rifles and shotguns, which included five AR-style rifles without serial numbers that are commonly known as ghost guns, along with two handguns, three gun suppressors and approximately 8,500 rounds of ammunition.