A Virginia man who showed police an unauthorized inauguration certificate at a perimeter checkpoint securing downtown Washington, DC, prior to inauguration day, was arrested after a gun and hundreds of ammunition were found in his vehicle, police said.
Front Royal’s Wesley Allen Beeler stopped at a security check in North Capitol Street and E Street Northwest Friday around 6:30 p.m. in a white Ford 150 truck with Virginia tags and gun-related emblems, according to data from the U.S. Capitol Police.
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The truck Beeler was driving was decorated with firearms stickers, including stickers that read “Assault Life” and “When they come to get your weapons, give them your bullets first.”
Police say Beeler has presented an unauthorized ID. Authorities did not immediately provide further details on what kind of documentation Beeler allegedly tried to provide.
When credentials did not match a list of people authorized to enter the inauguration perimeter, US Capitol Police officers conducted further searches.
A gun with a high-capacity magazine and ammunition was found in the vehicle, police said. The weapon was not registered in Washington, DC, police said.
Police say they also found “509 9mm hollow point bullets and ammunition” and 21 12-gauge shotgun grenades.
Beeler was arrested and taken to Capitol Police headquarters for processing.
According to DC police, Beeler is charged with carrying a concealed weapon, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device.
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