(CBS DETROIT) – A Michigan man accused Tuesday of entering the U.S. Capitol with a flare gun and a lighter was arrested.
The 27-year-old Westland man is charged with possession of a prohibited weapon, unlawful activity and disorderly conduct, according to Capitol Police.
Police say the man walked into the Capitol visitors center around 12:30 p.m. and stood in line for the screening process, according to a news release.
“Capitol Division officials instructed the man to put his jacket and bag through the X-ray machine. USCP officers observed items on the x-ray that appeared suspicious. After a search they found a flare gun, a torch lighter and two bottles of fuel. The man also smelled as if he had doused some of his clothing with fuel,” police said in the press release.
Police searched the man and discovered a “manifesto and letter to Congress” containing the man’s views on the war in the Middle East. His vehicle was found and released by the K9 Unit and the Hazardous Incident Response Division.
Investigators are working to determine the motive. They believe the man traveled to the Washington DC area on Monday.
“If our officers had not stopped this man, yesterday would have been a very different story than this. All of our employees continue to work together around the clock during this heightened security environment,” said Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger. in a statement.
