Man arrested after leaving firearm in car parked near Capitol

Police arrested a man on Thursday who had a weapon and ammunition in his vehicle, which had been left parked near the Capitol.

A Capitol Police spokesperson said in a release that officers made the discovery during “routine parking enforcement” along the 300 block of New Jersey Avenue. Authorities did not find any evidence showing a link to terrorism.

{mosads}Shortly after 9 a.m., officers received consent to search the car and discovered a weapon, ammunition and other items, Capitol Police said. The owner was arrested and charges are pending.

NEW: U.S. Capitol Police arrest man with firearm and ammunition in his vehicle near Capitol Hill this morning.

“There is no evidence to indicate any nexus to terrorism at this time,” Capitol Police spokesperson says. https://t.co/gkl3VEKR5g pic.twitter.com/9cs8VS6mhs

— ABC News (@ABC) August 2, 2018

Shortly after the arrest near the Capitol, the Secret Service closed access to the north fence at the White House because of reports of a suspicious vehicle at a nearby checkpoint. There was no indication that the two incidents were related.

Secret Service Officers and K9 units were alerted to a vehicle at a checkpoint near the @WhiteHouse. The North Fence along Pennsylvania Avenue and Lafayette Park are closed at this time. @DCPoliceDept EOD personnel are responding to the scene.

— U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) August 2, 2018