INQUISITR.COM / News & Politics

NYC Terrorism Thwarted? Three People Arrested As They Entered New York City With Huge Load Of Weapons, Ballistic Vests [Breaking]

By Tara West
Published on: 04:58 PST, Jun 21, 2016

Three people were arrested just outside of the Holland Tunnel after police discovered a car containing weapons and ballistic vests. The Joint Terrorism Task Force is assisting in the investigation after the three individuals were discovered with loaded guns, rifles, ballistic vests, and a camouflage helmet in their vehicle.

The Daily Mail reports that police have arrested a heavily armed trio attempting to enter New York City via the Holland Tunnel this morning. The arrest took place at approximately 8 a.m. after police pulled over the group for a cracked windshield. However, upon stopping the vehicle, police discovered the vehicle was loaded with weaponry.

According to NBC New York, two men in their 50s and a woman in her 20s were arrested after police found multiple loaded guns, rifles, ballistic vests, night vision goggles, and a camouflage helmet in the vehicle. The stop was initially routine as the officer simply pulled over the trio for driving with a cracked windshield. However, upon inspection, numerous loaded weapons and the other gear were found. The three people were headed into the Holland Tunnel at the time of their arrest on the New Jersey side.

The three people were all allegedly from Pennsylvania and had long-range guns as well as handguns in their possession when they attempted to enter the Holland Tunnel from New Jersey on their way to New York City. Although an arrest has been made and the Joint Terrorism Task Force was called to assist on the case, two senior law enforcement officers working the case say the individuals are “gun enthusiasts” with no known terrorism ties. The officers note that there is “no known threat” to the public associated with these three individuals.

Following their arrest, drugs were also found in the vehicle along with the guns. Police have seized all of the weapons and drugs and are still investigating the trio to determine if they pose a risk to the public. The woman in the group told police that they were on their way to Queens to save a friend who was “being held against her will.”

The woman claims that the friend in Queens was a heroin addict and that she was being held captive by a man in Queens and that they were attempting a rescue. The story has not been verified, but police say they are looking into the issue and attempting to determine if there is a woman in Queens in distress.

The New York City government website details that 20 known terrorism plots against NYC have been thwarted since 9/11. The most recent thwarted plot listed was the discovery of a Brooklyn-based ISIL cell that was plotting to provide material support to the Islamic State.

“Between February 25, 2015 and June 11, 2015, five Brooklyn-based men were arrested and charged with attempt and conspiracy to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).”

At least one of the men arrested in the Brooklyn ISIL cell had expressed “interest” in shooting FBI agents and police officers for the terrorist group. In total, five men were arrested and have pleaded not guilty. All five men are currently awaiting trial.

The investigation into the Holland Tunnel trio is currently ongoing, and police say they will make more information available as it is uncovered.

[Image via Inquisitr]

Share this article: NYC Terrorism Thwarted? Three People Arrested As They Entered New York City With Huge Load Of Weapons, Ballistic Vests [Breaking]
New York
More from Inquisitr