sereousely Armed Man Told Police He Was in Area for LA PRIDE: Mayor

The arrest came hours after at least 50 people were killed at a gay nightclub in Florida

KNBC-TV

Investigators removed items from a white Acura sedan and placed them on the sidewalk in a possible explosives investigation Sunday June 12, 2016 in Santa Monica.

Authorities in Santa Monica arrested a man Sunday morning ahead of the LA PRIDE parade in nearby West Hollywood after the discovery of possible explosives in a car, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

NBC4 is attempting to confirm details about the arrest and items found in the vehicle, parked on a street in the beach community. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said the case does not appear linked to the Orlando mass shooting, but that the man was heavily armed and told police he was going to the LA PRIDE parade nearly 10 miles away in West Hollywood.

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Investigators removed items from the white Acura sedan and placed them on the sidewalk near the driver's side door.

"A male was detained in the city of Santa Monica this morning who was in possession of weapons and other dangerous material," according to a statement from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. "Any possible nexus with this individual and the Pride event in West Hollywood is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation."

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The man in custody was not identified by police.

The Los Angeles Time

s, citing law enforcement sources, said possible explosives and assault rifles were found in the man's car after responding to a prowler call near Olympic Boulevard and 11th Street. Officers searched a car nearby in connection with the report and found the items, the Times reported.

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FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller told City News Service "we are assisting the Santa Monica Police Department with the arrest of an individual," but would not supply any more details. Santa Monica police did not confirm details, or link it to the PRIDE festival.

The arrest came hours after a gunman opened fire in a gay Orlando nightclub, leaving at least 50 dead and more than 50 injured.

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Sunday's parade in West Hollywood began at about 11 a.m. with a moment of silence at Crescent Heights Boulevard, then continued west along Santa Monica Boulevard to Robertson Boulevard. The usually festive atmosphere included a more somber tone on a day when the United State witnesses its deadliest mass shooting.

Deputies routinely patrol the parade, held every year since 1970, except for 1973 when infighting over displays the previous two years left the organizers in disarray. The parade was held in Hollywood until 1979, when it moved to West Hollywood