California man arrested with guillotine near US Capitol

The United States Capitol Police (USCP) on Tuesday arrested a California man after officers spotted a guillotine in the back of a pickup truck in broad daylight, just steps from the U.S. Capitol.

USCP officers said Philan-Tam-Duy Le, 35, of Julian, had driven across the country before officials spotted the guillotine near Capitol Hill, close to the Supreme Court building.

According to officials, the pickup truck was illegally parked, while the massive guillotine stood upright in the truck bed.

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Le was arrested and charged with carrying a dangerous weapon in connection with his possession of the guillotine.

Investigators are now examining what motivated Le to travel from California and what prompted him to bring the massive guillotine with him.

“USCP investigators are going through the suspect’s background to learn more about why he came to Washington, DC,” officials said.

The guillotine discovery is the latest in a series of unusual weapons found in and around the Capitol complex, one of the most heavily secured areas in the country.

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More than a week ago, officials found a homemade sword and brass knuckles at a Senate office building, Fox 5 DC reported. The items were reportedly discovered inside a man’s bag during a security screening.

Last year, a man was arrested after a machete and knives were discovered at a screening checkpoint in the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC), according to USCP. The 44-year-old man was arrested on multiple counts of carrying a dangerous weapon, officials said.

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In 2021, a California man was arrested after officers discovered an unmarked truck displaying White supremacist symbols near the Democratic National Committee headquarters after midnight, according to USCP. A bayonet and machete were found inside the vehicle, officials said.