Arsenal of Guns Found in Hotel Hours Before New Year Celebrations

Stock photo of police tape. (Carl Ballou/Shutterstock)

Just hours before New Year’s celebrations, police arrested a man on multiple charges after discovering a small arsenal of guns in his top floor hotel room at the Hyatt Regency in Houston.

An off-duty police officer noticed Russell Lawrence Ziemba, 49, acting erratically and belligerent at the hotel, reported ABC News. At 1:30 a.m. on Dec. 31, while escorting Ziemba to his hotel room, the officer called for urgent backup after his attempts to subdue the man failed.

Lt. Gordon Macintosh from the Houston Police Department said when the officers arrived they located an AR-15, a shotgun, a handgun and lots of ammunition in the man’s hotel room, reported Click 2 Houston. Investigators also found more weapons in the man’s vehicle.

The 49-year-old was arrested for assaulting a peace officer and trespassing, according to the police.

According to the Hyatt’s website, the hotel is preparing its own New Year’s Eve celebration at the hotel with a 50,000 balloon drop at the stroke of midnight.

The hotel said in a statement to the newspaper they have organized extra security for New Year’s Eve.

“The safety and security of our guests and colleagues is our top priority, and consistent with the hotel’s prepared security plans, heightened measures are in place on New Year’s Eve. We are fully cooperating with authorities on an investigation, and further questions should be directed to the Houston Police Department,” the statement read.

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo confirmed via Twitter on Dec. 31 that the situation is contained and that there are “no specific threats” to Houston.

Police are still investigating the incident and will release more information about the suspect in due course.

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From NTD.tv