Capitol Police Arrest Man With ‘Non-Government Issued’ Credentials, Handgun, 500 Rounds of Ammo [Updated]
The Capitol Police arrested a man for possession of a handgun and over 500 rounds of ammunitions after he presented “non-government issued” inaugural credentials at a police checkpoint in Washington, DC. (See updates at end of post.)
CNN reports that the man, Wesley Allen Beeler, was taken into custody Friday night:
US Capitol Police arrested a Virginia man as he attempted to pass through a police checkpoint in downtown Washington, DC, Friday with fake inaugural credentials, a loaded handgun and more than 500 rounds of ammunition, according to a police report and a law enforcement source briefed on the situation.
The incident occurred shortly after 6:30 p.m. when Wesley Allen Beeler pulled his pick-up truck to a police vehicle checkpoint at North Capitol and E Street NE, just north of the Capitol building, the source told CNN.
Beeler, from Front Royal, Virginia, presented officers with what was described as an unauthorized inauguration credential.
Beeler reportedly surrendered his firearm voluntarily when police asked if he had any weapons. The cops recovered 509 rounds from the truck.
CNN’s Shimon Prokupecz reported the incident on the air Saturday afternoon as he described enhanced security measures that are being taken in the District following the deadly Capitol insurrection by supporters of President Donald Trump, and ahead of the inauguration of President-Elect Joe Biden.
Watch the clip above via CNN.
UPDATE: The Washington Post reports that the man, Wesley Allen Beeler, was released on his personal recognizance after appearing in court on Saturday afternoon and ordered not to return to D.C. except to visit his lawyer. The man’s family claims he is a private security contractor who has been working downtown in the wake of the Capitol riots and ahead of the election.
U.S. Capitol police said in charging papers that Beeler presented them with to enter the area, but an officer determined he was “not authorized to enter the restricted area.” U.S. Capitol police said in a statement Saturday that he presented “a non-government issued” credential.
As his credential was being checked, another officer noted bumper stickers on the truck’s windows, which read, “Assault Life” and “If they come for your guns giv ‘em your bullets first,” police said.
“It’s understandable during these times, said Beeler’s wife of his detainment, acknowledging that his circumstance “does sound suspicious.”
UPDATED: Law&Crime now has a good deal more detail on the story including from the individual himself.
