Two armed men have been arrested by the United States Capitol Police (USCP) after allegedly crashing a stolen vehicle into a barricade near the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, according to officials.
Ricardo Glass and Onosetale Okojie, both 20 years old and residing in Washington, were apprehended on Nov. 5 and are facing multiple charges, including carrying a pistol without a license, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and unlawful possession of a machine gun, USCP said in a press release.
According to officials, a USCP officer noticed a driver in a white Infiniti Q50 stopped at a green light along Massachusetts Avenue NE, several blocks from the Capitol, at about 2:15 a.m. on Nov. 5.
The officer attempted to make a traffic stop after “suspecting the driver could be impaired” but the vehicle sped away and eventually crashed into a Capitol Complex vehicle barricade near First Street and D Street NE, which is close to multiple Senate office buildings, according to the release.
The driver and the passenger inside the white Infiniti Q50 subsequently fled the scene, prompting USCP officers to chase both suspects on foot.
One of the suspects was later captured in the 100 block of C Street NE, while the other was captured in the 500 block of Second Street NE, officials said.
Police later recovered two handguns during their arrest: a Glock handgun, which officials said had a 22-round extended magazine and was found on the passenger side seat near an additional magazine, and another Glock, which they said had a “giggle switch” and was found in a flowerbed in the 100 block of C Street NE.
Vehicle Was Stolen, Police Say
Police also discovered the vehicle driven by the suspects was stolen out of Prince George’s County, Maryland.A USCP spokesperson told The Epoch Times that the suspects did not pose a threat to the Capitol and did not intend to harm anyone at the building.
“This is just another example of our officers and their vigilance and perseverance putting away dangerous criminals,” said USCP Assistant Chief Sean Gallagher. “They are constantly working to keep everyone safe throughout the Capitol Complex.”
In addition to the charges of carrying a pistol without a license, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and unlawful possession of a machine gun, Mr. Glass and Mr. Okojie also face charges of unlawful entry of a motor vehicle, receiving stolen property of $1,000 or more, possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, fleeing from a law enforcement officer in a motor vehicle, felon in possession, reckless driving, no permit, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, possession of unregistered ammunition, and obliterating, removing, changing, or altering the serial number of a firearm.
It is not clear if Mr. Glass and Mr. Okojie have legal representation.
Capitol police have confiscated more than 30 guns so far this year, USCP said, noting that all weapons are prohibited from Capitol Grounds, “even if you have a gun that is legally registered in another state, or the District of Columbia.”
