Man with two guns arrested at Trump hotel streets from White House
A possible threat against unnamed Secret Service protectees is being investigated after police were tipped-off.
Wednesday 31 May 2017 18:59, UK
A "potential disaster" has been averted in Washington DC after a man was arrested at a Trump hotel when two guns were found in his car, police said.
Brian Moles was taken into custody soon after checking into the Trump International, a few streets away from the White House.
The 43-year-old suspect, from Edinboro, Pennsylvania, was detained as police investigated a report of a potential threat against Secret Service protectees.
It is not known who those protectees were.
The Secret Service is authorised to ensure the safety of the US president and vice-president and their immediate families, former presidents and their spouses, children of former presidents up to the age of 16, visiting heads of foreign states or governments and major presidential or vice-presidential candidates.
Officers said they had received a tip-off that a doctor was travelling to the Trump International, armed with weapons and ammunition.
Police said they found an assault-style rifle, a Glock 23 pistol and 90 rounds of ammunition in Moles' vehicle, and detained him inside the premises.
Officers saw one of the guns in his car and discovered the second firearm in the glove box.
Metropolitan police chief Peter Newsham told a news conference he was "very concerned" about Moles and authorities "averted a potential disaster here in our nation's capital".
Asked about reports that Moles had made threatening remarks, Mr Newsham said his motive was being investigated and there was not enough information to charge him with making threats.
Moles has been charged with two counts of carrying a pistol without a licence and possessing unregistered ammunition.
The Secret Service said at no time did the suspect pose a threat to the people the agency protects.
A statement said: "Special agents from the Secret Service Washington field office and officers from the Metropolitan police department (MPD) investigated a report of a potential threat against Secret Service protectees.
"The Secret Service received information from a concerned citizen and Trump International Hotel security staff.
"An individual was subsequently located at the Trump International Hotel in Washington DC, agents and officers recovered a semi-automatic assault style rifle and a handgun in the individual's vehicle.
"Brian Moles of Pennsylvania was arrested by MPD officers for illegal possession of the firearms. At no time were any Secret Service protectees at risk."