NEW YORK _ A man from upstate New York was arrested Monday evening at Trump Tower after attempting to bring a knife, water gun and fireworks into the building, NYPD officials confirmed on Tuesday.
Alexander Wang, 19, of Poughquag was arrested shortly after 6:35 p.m. after U.S. Secret Service guards discovered the items in his book bag during a routine screening required of all visitors entering President-elect Donald Trump's namesake building.
Wang was charged with criminal possession of a weapon and unlawful possession of fireworks. An NYPD spokeswoman said he was arrested without incident and did not have a previous arrest record in the city.
Reached for comment, Trump transition spokeswoman Hope Hicks referred all questions to the Secret Service.
Secret Service officials reached by phone said the agency would not comment on the arrest. Last month the agency issued a statement about its plans to boost security at Trump Tower, saying "as a matter of practice, security plans will evolve in order to address emerging threats and to improve efficiencies."
Security at Trump Tower has been heightened since Trump was elected. Armed Secret Service officers and explosive-detecting dogs are usually posted outside the building's entrances on Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue, and all visitors heading into the building must have their bags screened.
Last week New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio requested $35 million in federal funding to cover the NYPD's overtime and staffing costs to protect Trump, but Congress only approved $7 million in funding.
