NEW YORK, Aug. 12 (Xinhuanet) -- A California man possessing a loaded rifle and a revolver has been arrested as he was trying to drive into a parking garage across from the UN headquarters in New York, police said Friday.

    Vernon Welker, 59, was arrested Thursday morning and is facing charges of criminal weapons possession, police said.

    Police said Welker tried to force his way into the parking lot of a hotel across from the UN compound but left after refusing to undergo a security check.

    Police said he came back a while later and admitted to security he had a 0.2 caliber gun.

    Welker was detained by secret service after a search of his car produced a loaded rifle, a revolver, ammunition and a knife.

    Police are looking into whether he actually planned to go into the UN compound. Enditem