WASHINGTON — A man is facing charges after police say he was caught carrying a machete and knife while on U.S. Capitol grounds the day after Christmas.
According to U.S. Capitol Police, officers noticed a man pacing back and forth before sitting down on a ledge on the east side of the U.S. Capitol around 4:15 p.m. Tuesday.
Officers approached the man after witnessing his odd behavior. After speaking with him for several minutes, officers say they noticed a brick in the man's pocket. When the officer asked the man to toss the brick aside, the man complied. He then also pulled out a knife and placed it on a nearby ledge.
The officer reportedly called for backup before noticing a machete under the man's clothing. The officer drew his service gun and demanded the man put his hands up. The man complied and after the machete was removed from his person, he was taken into custody.
Police have identified the man as 23-year-old Jose Leonardo Marquez of no fixed address.
Investigators say it is not clear what Marquez was doing at the Capitol but there is no evidence to suggest he was targeting any members of Congress.
Marquez has since been charged with carrying a dangerous weapon and possession of a prohibited weapon.
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