Masked man arrested with gun, spray paint at State Capitol
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- State Capitol police arrested a man just before 5 a.m. Saturday armed with a handgun and spray paint.
Police say the suspect, 32-year-old Perren Tremayne Moss, was wearing a full face mask, gloves, heavy clothing and a backpack which contained cans of spray paint.
State Capitol Police Chief Glen Allen said that when they saw him walking, something didn't seem right.
"It's just very unusual. I mean for a person in July, on a hot summer night to be walking with heaving clothes, gloves, and a mask on," he said.
Moss had a concealed .38 caliber handgun which he was not permitted to carry, according to police.
While no property was damaged, Allen said police have been on high alert after a number of monuments have been vandalized recently.
"July 21 we had a report of some vandalism done on one of the monuments on the Capitol grounds so we're going to follow up to see if that might be connected in any way," Allen said.
The "North Carolina Women of the Confederacy" memorial is still wrapped in crime scene tape and a blue tarp covers "Black Lives Matter," which was sprayed on the stone.
Moss was charged with carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a weapon on State Capitol grounds, and wearing a mask on public property.
Moss was arrested and placed in the Wake County Detention Center. He was released on a $1,000 bond and is due in court next month.
