Capitol Police Confiscate Guns, Capture Thugs After Barricade Crash

WASHINGTON — Two armed men were arrested on multiple charges after crashing into a Capitol Complex vehicle barricade early Sunday morning.

The apprehension of the men started as so many of these things do on the Hill, with an officer on a routine patrol noticing something that didn’t seem quite right.

In this case, the officer noticed a driver in a white Infiniti Q50 idling at a green traffic light around 2:15 a.m. on Massachusetts Avenue NE near Union Station.

Suspecting the driver could be impaired, the officer attempted to make a traffic stop, but the driver sped away and crashed into a Capitol Complex vehicle barricade near First Street and D Street, NE.

The driver and the passenger, later identified as Ricardo Glass and Onosetale Okojie, both 20 and of Washington, D.C., then ran away from the damaged vehicle, which turned out to have been stolen in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

Unfortunately for the two young men, the crash had occurred near U.S. Capitol Police headquarters, and they were soon pursued by a number of officers chasing them on foot. 

One was captured in the 100 block of D Street, NE, while the other was captured in the 500 block of Second Street, NE.

“This is just another example of our officers and their vigilance and perseverance putting away dangerous criminals,” said U.S. Capitol Police Assistant Chief Sean Gallagher. “They are constantly working to keep everyone safe throughout the Capitol Complex.”

A Glock handgun, which had a 22-round extended magazine, was found on the passenger side seat, near an additional magazine. 

Another Glock, which had a “Giggle Switch,” enabling it to be turned into a machine gun, was found in a flowerbed in the 100 block of C Street, NE.

Glass and Okojie were arrested for several charges, including: two charges of carrying a pistol without a license, unauthorized use of a vehicle, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle, receiving stolen property of $1,000 or more, possession of a large-capacity ammunition-feeding device, fleeing from a law enforcement officer in a motor vehicle, felon in possession, reckless driving, no permit, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, possession of unregistered ammunition, obliterating, removing, changing or altering the serial number of a firearm, and unlawful possession of a machine gun.

To date the U.S. Capitol Police have confiscated more than 30 guns. They remind the general public that all weapons are prohibited from Capitol Grounds — even if you have a gun that is legally registered in another state or the District of Columbia.

Dan can be reached at [email protected] and @DanMcCue