A 35-year-old California man has been arrested in Washington, D.C., after US Capitol Police discovered a guillotine in the back of his pickup truck, authorities said.
Philan-Tam-Duy Le, from Julian, California, was arrested and charged with carrying a dangerous weapon after officers found the unusual device on Capitol Hill earlier this week.
Police said the pickup truck was illegally parked along the 100 block of East Capitol Street, a major road near the US Capitol. Officers noticed the vehicle shortly after 3 p.m. on Tuesday and subsequently discovered what appeared to be a full-size wooden guillotine in its bed.
US Capitol Police released photographs showing the wooden structure inside the stationary truck. Authorities seized the device, although they have not said whether it was capable of functioning.
Investigators are now examining Le’s background and trying to determine why he travelled from California to the US capital with the guillotine.
“The suspect drove here from California,” US Capitol Police said in a statement. The force added that investigators were reviewing his background to better understand his reasons for coming to Washington.
The discovery prompted a police investigation in an area that is closely monitored because of its proximity to the Capitol and other government buildings.
Authorities have not publicly identified any specific target connected to the device, nor have they said that Le made threats against anyone. His motive remains unclear as investigators continue gathering information.
A guillotine is a device historically associated with executions during the French Revolution. Modern versions are sometimes displayed as historical artefacts or used as political symbols, but it is unusual for such a large replica or device to be transported through the streets of Washington.
Police have not provided further details about the circumstances surrounding the arrest or explained what led officers to classify the device as a dangerous weapon.
The investigation comes as Capitol Police continue to monitor unusual activity and potential security threats around the seat of the US government.
For now, Le remains at the centre of the investigation, with authorities seeking to establish whether the guillotine was intended for a specific purpose or was simply being transported through the city.
The case is expected to develop as investigators examine the suspect’s travel history, background and the circumstances surrounding the possession of the device.
