A West Virginia Man was arrested by the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) after he was found carrying a gun with around 20 rounds of ammunition near the Capitol building, the Hill reported.
Capitol Police arrested 71-year-old Dennis Westover of South Charleston, West Virginia on Wednesday near the Capitol building after advising officers who questioned him that he had a handgun in his car, The Hill reported on Thursday.
A Capitol Police officer observed a vehicle that was parallel parked in the middle of the intersection of Second Street and Washington Avenue, a statement from the USCP said regarding the incident. Westover has allegedly exited the vehicle and began walking up the block after he parked.
A West Virginia was arrested with a gun and 20 rounds of ammunition near the US Capitol https://t.co/IWdlqsEAlz pic.twitter.com/KBUl457sGu
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“The USCP Officer made contact with the Suspect and asked if there was a gun in the vehicle, to which the Suspect advised there was a pistol in the center console.” The statement said.
Westover was placed under arrest and was transported to the USCP headquarters for processing, the statement said. He was charged with carrying a pistol without a license, possession of unregistered ammunition, and a misdemeanor of unlawfully possessing a firearm. (RELATED: REPORT: WalkAway Campaign Founder Arrested Over Participation In Capitol Riot)
Police reportedly searched the car and found a .9mm Sig Sauer handgun in the center console of his car, as well as 20 rounds of ammunition, The Hill reported. It is unclear as to why Westover was in possession of the firearm and ammunition.
The USCP has been under scrutiny after the riots on January 6, in which the Capitol Police has apologized for “their failures” during the situation, also leading to heightened security measures around the Capitol building.