Capitol Police arrest man who ‘smelled like fuel’ and had torch and flare gun

The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center was closed Tuesday afternoon, after Capitol Police arrested a man who was carrying a torch and flare gun during their security screening process.

“Our officers just arrested a man who was stopped during our screening process at the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC),” the Capitol Police wrote in a statement online.

“The man smelled like fuel, had a torch & a flare gun. The CVC is closed for tours for the day, while we investigate,” the Capitol Police continued. “We will provide more information when we can.”

According to a Capitol Police spokesperson, a man in his late 20s from Michigan drove to the U.S. Capitol. He submitted to a routine screening at the Capitol Visitor Center when police arrested him. The man had documents on him that were “described as a manifesto” that were “referring to the war in the Middle East.”

Capitol police have also tracked the suspect’s car near the Capitol and cleared the scene around the car as well.

Capitol Police did not release any additional information.

Red more: The Hill