California Man Arrested for Carrying Guillotine Near U.S. Capitol

A man from Southern California has been arrested after being spotted with a guillotine in the bed of his truck near the U.S. Capitol. The arrest was made by the United States Capitol Police (USCP) on Tuesday.

Just after 3 p.m. ET, USCP officers observed a pickup truck parked illegally along the 100 block of East Capitol Street. The location is just east of the Capitol grounds and close to the U.S. Supreme Court. Both Congress and the Supreme Court are on summer recess.

Investigators revealed that Philan-Tam-Duy Le, 35, made a cross-country journey of over 2,500 miles from California to Washington, D.C. The reasons behind his trip to the nation’s capital remain unclear. Capitol Police stated, “USCP investigators are going through the suspect’s background to learn more about why he came to Washington, D.C.”

Le, who hails from Julian, a small town in San Diego County, is facing a charge related to carrying a dangerous weapon. Police released photos showing the guillotine fully assembled and upright in the truck bed. Its structure extended several feet above the truck, reaching into the tree line.

Newsweek contacted Capitol Police for further details, including if Le transported the guillotine from California in his truck bed.

Capitol Police have dealt with numerous weapons-related incidents around the Capitol recently.

Last month, officers detained Wendell J. Royster, 67, from Columbia, Mississippi. He was accused of driving to a Capitol barricade with a firearm in his lap, asking for directions to the Supreme Court.

In February, an 18-year-old Georgia resident faced federal charges for aiming toward the Capitol with a loaded shotgun while in tactical attire. Officers stopped him on Capitol grounds and seized a shotgun loaded with eight rounds, along with additional ammunition. The Justice Department said the suspect intended to speak with a congress member, although Congress was not in session. This arrest occurred a week before President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address.

For further inquiries on this story, contact Newsweek editors Anna Commander and Edward T. Cummins.