Local News

Seattle police arrested a convicted felon at the Occupy Seattle protest in Westlake Park on Monday night after he was spotted carrying a rifle case over his shoulder.

The 40-year-old man, who has not been identified by police, was overheard saying that he was carrying a rifle, said police spokesman Sgt. Sean Whitcomb. Officers searched the rifle case and found an unloaded rifle with a pistol grip, Whitcomb said. The man also had 16 rounds of ammunition with him.

The man, who has a prior felony conviction, was arrested for violation of the Uniform Firearms Act. The man has a conviction for vehicle theft, according to police.

Police have also arrested two other people at the protest since Monday night, both for violating the city’s ordinance forbidding camping in Seattle parks.

At around 11:10 p.m., bicycle officers saw four people putting up a tent while about 80 others watched and cheered them on, police said.  Police told the four that camping is not permitted in the park and they should stop, but they didn’t.

After the tent was erected, a 20-year-old man was arrested after entering it, police said. The man was released, and a police report will be forwarded to the City Attorney’s Office.

At around 2:30 a.m., a woman, who was only identified as being ”elderly,” was arrested after building a structure out of signs. Police said she repeatedly told them that she wanted to be arrested. She was taken to the West Precinct and later released, and a report on that arrest will also be forwarded to the City Attorney’s Office, police said.