USCP Clear Suspicious Van, Arrest Driver for Bringing Guns to Capitol Grounds

This afternoon the United States Capitol Police (USCP) Hazardous Incident Response Division cleared a suspicious vehicle, which was illegally parked on Capitol Grounds.

USCP Officers arrested the driver after he admitted to having guns in the vehicle-- a small white van.

Weapons are banned from Capitol Grounds, yet dozens of people are arrested each year for violating the law.

Around 3:45 p.m., USCP officers noticed the van was illegally parked along the 100 block of East Capitol Street.

The driver told us he had guns in the van. A K-9 also "hit" on the vehicle.

The driver, another man, and a woman were all detained during the search. Officers found two handguns and a shotgun inside the van.

The individuals told our investigators they were here to deliver documents to the U.S. Supreme Court.

A pipe and containers were also found in the van, so the USCP Hazardous Incident Response Division did a thorough search and cleared the van.

The driver, 80-year old Tony H. Payne of Tunnel Hill, Georgia, was charged with Unregistered Firearm, Unregistered Ammunition, and Carrying a Pistol without a License.

The woman and the other man, who were briefly detained, were not arrested.