Police say they "probably stopped" a third attempt on former US president Donald Trump's life by arresting a man with guns and fake entry passes near a rally in California.
The Riverside County Sheriff's Office reported on Sunday that Vem Miller, 49, was stopped at a checkpoint about a mile (1.6km) away from Trump's rally in Coachella Valley on Saturday.
According to police, the Las Vegas resident illegally possessed a loaded handgun, a shotgun, and a high-capacity magazine.
“We probably stopped another assassination attempt,” Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said.
There were also fake press and VIP entry passes on Miller's person. This indicates that Miller had intended to gain access to a VIP event, which would have given him the opportunity to carry out the assassination.
“They were different enough to cause the deputies alarm,” Sheriff Bianco said, according to the Riverside Press-Enterprise.
In addition to possessing a loaded firearm, Miller also possessed a high-capacity magazine. He was taken into custody without incident at the John J. Benoit Detention Center.
“This incident did not impact the safety of former President Trump or attendees of the event,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
According to police records, Miller posted bail of $US5000 ($7400). A court hearing is scheduled for January 2.