U.S. Capitol police (USCP) on Friday morning arrested a person who was discovered parked in a automobile outdoors the Capitol with physique armor, a faux badge, a BB gun and several other high-capacity magazines, amongst different ammunition.

A patrol officer began speaking with the person, recognized as 53-year-old Jerome Felipe of Flint, Michigan, who was parked in his 2017 Dodge Charger close to Peace Circle on the west facet of the Capitol at about 5 a.m., the USCP stated in an announcement on its web site.

Felipe introduced the Capitol law enforcement officials with a faux badge that learn "Division of the INTERPOL" and claimed that he's a felony investigator with the company.

Capitol law enforcement officials have been involved concerning the safety of the U.S. Capitol since January 6, 2021, when supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol constructing in an effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election outcomes.

Man Arrested With Body Armor outside Capitol
U.S. Capitol police on Friday arrested a person who was discovered with physique armor, a faux badge, a BB gun and several other high-capacity magazines, amongst different ammunition. Above, U.S. Capitol law enforcement officials collect on the east entrance plaza on February 28, 2022, in Washington, D.C.Picture by Justin Sullivan/Getty Photos

The Michigan man, whom the USCP stated is a retired police officer from New York, additionally had two ballistic vests in his automotive that have been discovered by Capitol police who searched his automobile. The USCP stated that Felipe did not have some other weapons.

"Investigators are nonetheless working to find out the rationale Felipe was parked close to the U.S. Capitol," the USCP stated within the assertion, including that he has been charged with illegal possession of excessive capability magazines and unregistered ammo.

In December, U.S. Capitol Police Sergeant Aquilino Gonell stated that officers are anxious about one other potential assault on the Capitol. Gonell has protected the Capitol constructing and suffered accidents through the riot final 12 months.

"A variety of the officers bear in mind the potential for this being a recurring annual or every-four-year factor, which is why officers like myself are being outspoken about it, as a result of we do not need to undergo this once more," Gonell stated throughout an NPR interview.

"We risked our lives to offer them sufficient time to get to security. And, allegedly, a few of them have been in communication with a few of the rioters and with a few of the coordinators or within the know of what would occur.

"And it makes you query their motives and their loyalty for the nation, as we have been battling the mob in a brutal battle the place I might have misplaced my life and my pricey fellow officers as effectively."

Earlier in December, the U.S. Senate unanimously handed a invoice that may permit the USCP to ask for help with out prior approval throughout emergencies. Which means the chief of the Capitol police can solely request assist from the D.C. Nationwide Guard or federal regulation enforcement companies in emergencies with out getting approval from the USCP board.

Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Capitol police for remark.