WASHINGTON -- U.S. Capitol Police arrested a man Tuesday afternoon after discovering a sword and several firearms in his SUV near the Capitol Building.
Pennsylvania Avenue was closed between First and Fourth streets after the suspicious SUV was stopped near Third and Pennsylvania at about 2:20 p.m. after the driver approached a Capitol Police officer for directions, according to Capitol Police. The driver, 49-year-old Timothy Whitfield, of Long Beach, Calif., was interviewed and arrested.
A sweep of the SUV by a Capitol Police hazardous devices team found nothing hazardous in nature, but an additional search uncovered the sword, two long guns, three handguns and other items of concern, police spokeswoman Kimberly Schneider said.
Whitfield is charged with carrying a pistol without a license, possession of unregistered ammunition and possession of an unregistered firearm.
Police have reopened Pennsylvania Avenue.
