Armed man arrested near Trump's golf course ahead of president's visit
The arrest happened shortly before President Trump was due to host a fundraising dinner at his
A man was apprehended in California close to a golf course owned by President Donald Trump in the Los Angeles vicinity, just before the president's arrival for a fundraising event.
Investigators identified the individual as Jeanine John Taele, 38, and reported finding a pistol and armor-piercing ammunition in his vehicle at the Trump National Golf Course in Rancho Palos Verdes.
The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department stated that Taele was "observed walking throughout the golf course grounds taking photographs and videos and appearing to monitor security-planning activities."
The arrest occurred on Sunday afternoon, coinciding with Trump's visit to California for a Republican party fundraising dinner.
According to a news release from the sheriff's department, Taele's arrest followed a report from plainclothes federal agents to local authorities regarding a suspicious person.
Upon confronting Taele, police discovered he was wanted by the El Segundo Police Department for a robbery. El Segundo is situated approximately 15 miles (25km) north of Rancho Palos Verdes, an affluent coastal community recognized for its topography and picturesque cliffs.
Authorities searched Taele and found a 16-round magazine filled with hollow-point ammunition on his person. A subsequent search of his vehicle, parked at the golf course, revealed a loaded pistol and an additional loaded magazine also containing hollow-point ammunition.
Citing "potential security implications surrounding the incident," officials secured a warrant to search Taele's residence. There, they discovered an "illegally modified AR platform rifle," a .45 pistol, body armor, high-capacity magazines, a substantial quantity of pistol and rifle ammunition, and several notebooks containing "concerning statements."
The sheriff's department statement detailed, "During the detention, deputies recovered a 16-round magazine containing hollow point ammunition from Taele's pants pocket." It added, "Deputies subsequently searched Taele's vehicle and recovered a loaded pistol with a round chambered, along with an additional loaded magazine containing hollow point ammunition."
Taele faces charges for carrying a concealed firearm and possession of armor-piercing or prohibited ammunition.
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