Trending Topics

Calif. man arrested after bringing guillotine to D.C. in pickup truck

The pickup truck, officials said, was illegally parked along the 100 block of East Capitol Street, where the U.S. Supreme Court building is also located; the block is near the U.S. Capitol and the Library of Congress

US-NEWS-DC-GUILLOTINE-ARREST-MCT

Police seized a guillotine that was spotted on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, in the bed of a pickup truck along the 100 block of East Capitol Street in Washington, D.C. (United States Capitol Police/TNS)

United States Capitol Police/TNS

By Iris Kwok
Los Angeles Times

WASHINGTON — A Southern California man who had a guillotine in the back of his pickup truck has been arrested near the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, authorities said.

U.S. Capitol Police said Tuesday they had arrested Philan-Tam-Duy Le, 35, on suspicion of carrying a dangerous weapon: the guillotine.

| SPECIAL REPORT: Find the hidden gaps in your agency’s logistics readiness

Le’s motivations remain unclear. He is a resident of the small town of Julian in San Diego County, authorities said, and drove across the country from California.

Department investigators “are going through the suspect’s background to learn more about why he came to Washington, D.C.,” Capitol police said in a statement.

The pickup truck, officials said, was illegally parked along the 100 block of East Capitol Street, where the U.S. Supreme Court building is also located. The block is near the U.S. Capitol and the Library of Congress.

___

©2026 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Trending
Placer County Sheriff’s deputies returned fire, wounding the suspect who shot K-9 Sonic in the leg
Video released by NYSP shows the trooper rushing down a dock and jumping into the water, making his way to the vehicle as it sinks
Members questioned whether Mayor Katie Wilson’s staffing goal would be enough to significantly reduce 911 call response times and make other meaningful changes
Officer Justin Cebulski helped ensure all occupants exited the home, including a man who was asleep in a bedroom while the fire spread

Company News
Eva Saravia Joins SS8 as Chief Operating Officer to Lead Global Operations and Strategic Growth