Man Impersonating Cop Had Knife Stash, Chainsaw Blade: Capitol Police

WASHINGTON, DC — A man who U.S. Capitol police said impersonated a cop could face multiple charges after authorities found him with fake police equipment, a smoke grenade and a stash of knives.

Capitol police said Max Eli Viner, 37, is facing charges of impersonating a law enforcement officer and possessing a prohibited weapon following the Monday incident that happened around 6:20 p.m.

According to Capitol police, the agency's Bicycle Response Team noticed Viner near the corner of Third Street and Madison Drive Northwest. Police said Viner was wanted for questioning by the U.S. Secret Service, whose officers spotted him minutes earlier near Constitution Avenue and 15th Street.

Capitol police said officers searched Viner and found multiple knives on him as well as a chainsaw blade. Secret Service searched Viner's Ford Explorer and found fake police equipment, shell casings, a smoke grenade and a gas mask.

Capitol Police previously arrested a person in January 2021 on charges of impersonating a police officer, just days before President Joe Biden's inauguration, according to Politico.

In June 2022, another man was arrested near the Capitol and accused of possessing a fake "Department of the INTERPOL" police badge, a BB gun, high-capacity magazines, ammunition and body armor, Politico reported.