Secret Service agents seize two men in Georgetown, appearing to remove rifle and body armour

Suspects handcuffed and separated as agents spread items on ground to log evidence

The US Secret Service has arrested two men in the upscale Washington, DC neighbourhood of Georgetown, appearing to remove an assault rifle and body armour parts from a vehicle, according to a witness.

Reuters reported that more than half a dozen agents took the men into custody on Thursday, handcuffing and separating them, according to the news agency journalist who saw the incident. The reporter said the agents removed what seemed to be body armour parts from the car – a black four-door Ford sedan. The car had Indiana plates that said Marine Corps Veteran.

One of the men was wearing tan pants and a black hoodie and the other wore a camouflage jacket and a baseball cap, according to photos and the witness account.

The Secret Service is tasked with protecting US political leaders as well as their families. The Georgetown neighbourhood is a popular tourist spot in the nation’s capital. Many current and former government officials live in the area.

The agents removed multiple military-style bags from the vehicle, such as Army green duffles and packs, emptying the items on the trunk and the street, according to the news agency.

U.S. Secret Service officers search a car with Indiana licence plates and detain two men inside who had what appeared to be an assault-style rifle and body armour (REUTERS)

U.S. Secret Service officers hold a man handcuffed sitting on the curb, who was one of two men from a car with Indiana license plates that they stopped and detained (REUTERS)

U.S. Secret Service officers put military style bags back into a car with Indiana licence plates before towing it away after stopping and detaining two men inside who had what appeared to be an assault-style rifle and body armour (REUTERS)

A U.S. Secret Service officer gathers materials to put them back into a car with Indiana licence plates before towing it away after stopping and detaining two men inside who had what appeared to be an assault-style rifle and body armour (REUTERS)

Items, some of which appeared to be body armour plates, were put on the ground and photographed by agents.

At least one of the arrested men was removed from the scene in a Secret Service van.