A retired New York policeman with a BB gun, body armor and high-capacity magazines was arrested Friday outside the U.S. Capitol
Jerome Felipe, 53, of Flint, Michigan, also showed capitol police officers a fake badge with “Department of the INTERPOL” printed on it. Felipe claimed he was a criminal investigator with the agency, according to a statement from capitol police.
“Just before 5:00 am, a U.S. Capitol Police patrol officer started talking to a man who had parked his 2017 Dodge Charger near Peace Circle, on the West side of the Capitol,” authorities said Friday. The former cop reportedly permitted capitol police officers to search his vehicle.
“The officers discovered a BB gun, two ballistic vests, several high capacity magazines and other ammunition in the car,” police said, adding, “No real guns were found.”
“I am a investigator who gets the job done right the first time on a case,” Felipe declared in his LinkedIn profile. He claimed 22 years of investigative experience and noted he has been a Genesee County businessman for three years.
Felipe informs prospective clients he retired from the New York City Police Department after 15 years of service as an officer with the department’s Public Housing Division (July 1, 2003, to September 19, 2016). His NYPD service ended in 2018, according to his profile, which notes he is a former U.S. Marine.
He buttressed his business credentials by stating he has served as chief executive officer of several businesses and nonprofit organizations, such as Michigan Youth, Marines Cadet Corps and Michigan Women Veterans Empowerment.
Capitol police posted images of the seized weapon, ammo and vest in a Friday afternoon Twitter post. “USCP Arrests Man with Fake Badge, Body Armor & High Capacity Magazines: https://bit.ly/3GKcypj,” the caption stated.
“Felipe is facing charges of Unlawful Possession of High Capacity Magazines and Unregistered Ammo,” according to police. Capitol police explained investigators are still trying to determine why Felipe was parked near the U.S. Capitol.
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