Westland Man Arrested at Capitol with Flare Gun and Manifesto on Election Day

Westland Man Arrested at Capitol with Dangerous Items on Election Day

What started as a regular day in Westland turned into quite a shocking incident at the U.S. Capitol on Election Day. A 27-year-old man named Austin M. Olson tried to enter the Capitol carrying a flare gun, torch lighter, bottles of fuel, and what appeared to be a manual or manifesto. Talk about an alarming combination!

Suspicious Items Spotted at Security Screening

Things kicked off just before 12:30 p.m. when Olson walked into the Capitol Visitor Center and joined a line for the security screening. As he stood in line, officers asked him to place his jacket and bag through the X-ray machine. That’s when they saw some items that raised eyebrows!

After an officer detected something suspicious, a thorough search was conducted on Olson, and it didn’t take long for them to uncover his stash: a flare gun, a torch lighter, and several bottles of fuel. To make matters even scarier, Olson’s clothing smelled as if it had been drenched in fuel. Can you say “red flag”?

Manifesto and Letter to Congress Found

But wait, there’s more! The security team also discovered a manifesto and a letter addressed to Congress during their search. According to reports, this letter expressed Olson’s thoughts and opinions about the war in the Middle East. It’s safe to say that his intentions were highly suspicious.

Quick Actions Prevent a Potential Disaster

Following this disruption, Olson was promptly handcuffed and escorted outside for further questioning. U.S. Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger praised the actions of his officers, stating, “If our officers did not stop this man, yesterday would have been a very different story than this one.”

His words serve as a reminder of the daunting responsibilities facing law enforcement, especially in these heightened security times. The Visitor Center had to be closed for investigations, and all public tours were canceled for the rest of the day.

Olson’s Road to Washington

Investigators quickly sprang into action, tracing Olson’s movements right before his entrance to the Capitol. It was revealed that he had driven in from Michigan the previous day, parking his sedan at 9th Street and Maryland Avenue NE. Thankfully, the Capitol Police K-9 Unit and the Hazardous Incident Response Division worked together to clear the vehicle before allowing everyone to breathe a bit easier.

Legal Consequences Ahead

As of now, Olson has been taken into custody and is facing charges for several serious offenses, including possession of a prohibited weapon, unlawful activities, and disorderly conduct. These kinds of charges can have real consequences, and it seems Olson’s Election Day plans are now interrupted by a legal battle.

Final Thoughts

This incident at the Capitol served as a stark reminder of the ongoing safety challenges for public venues, especially during politically charged events. The vigilance of the officers involved played a critical role in preventing what could have easily turned into a dangerous episode. It looks like Olson’s ill-conceived trip to the Capitol has come to a screeching halt, and he’ll have plenty of time to reflect on his actions from behind bars.

So, as we all remember that Election Day is meant for civic duty and expressing our voices, let’s hope future visitors to the Capitol keep the peace and stay out of trouble!