Man en route to LA Pride arrested with car full of explosives

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti confirmed Sunday that a man whose car was filled with explosive material and weapons was headed to the LA Pride parade.

Garcetti said the man was arrested by the Santa Monica Police Department on Saturday night, based on a tip from a resident in the neighborhood.

Sheriff’s deputies with the West Hollywood station said in a statement a man was detained in the city of Santa Monica “who was in possession of weapons and other dangerous material.”

But any relation to the deadly shooting in Orlanda was unclear.

“Any possible nexus with this individual and the Pride event in West Hollywood is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” according to the sheriff’s department.

The Santa Monica Police Department would not offer any further information.

An editor with City News Service described a white sedan, parked on the wrong side of a street with its doors open in Santa Monica, surrounded by police.

Next to the car was a gas can, some camouflage gear and a backpack. The car had Indiana license plates and was covered with insect debris, as if it had been driven a great distance cross-country.

A sheriff’s department alert sent on social media described the vehicle as containing 5 pounds of taerite type powder, assault weapons, rifles, and loaded clips taped together as well as camouflauge clothing.

At the scene on Sunday, detectives continued to unload the car as area residents and media looked on. On a nearby sidewalk, a rifle could be seen, along with a green duffle bag, what appeared to be fully loaded gun magazines.

His arrest was made hours before 400,000 were expected to attend a parade and street festival in West Hollywood for the aual gay pride parade, and also after the deadly shooting in Orlando, where 50 people were killed inside a gay club.

FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said the agency is assisting the Santa Monica Police Department with thee investigation.”

No other information was available.

Security remained high around Sunday’s festival in West Hollywood, though there were no specific or credible threats received by law enforcement, according to a statement by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

“ Hundreds of uniformed deputies are on-duty to ensure the safety of all those participating in this event,” according to the department’s statement. “ Out of an abundance of caution, we have enhanced our security presence for the event and have tactical units at the ready to prevent and respond to any circumstances.”

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