Denver police arrest 4 on weapon and drug charges near site of MLB All-Star Game events
Four people have been arrested and more than a dozen weapons and hundreds of rounds of ammunition have been seized at a downtown Denver hotel that is close to several events planned in conjunction with the upcoming Major League Baseball All-Star Game.
Officers responding to a tip searched two rooms at the Maven Hotel, a block from Coors Field, on Friday night. Three men and a woman in their 40s were arrested, and two vehicles were impounded to be searched for evidence.
The recovered weapons included several rifles, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press.
Authorities were called after an employee found the guns in a hotel room, the official said.
So far, investigators have not found any evidence to suggest the group was plotting a mass shooting or other similar attack, the official said, while cautioning that the investigation is still in its early stages. The official could not discuss the matter publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.
At a briefing Sunday afternoon, the mayor and police chief stressed that there is no threat to the public.
"We want to reassure everyone, reassure our public, that there is no ongoing threat and that it is safe to enjoy the festivities throughout downtown Denver," said Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock.
Hancock praised the "very alert, very astute and properly trained" hotel employees who first alerted police. CBS Denver reports the incident Friday night ended peacefully and no one was injured.
The men who were arrested are being investigated for possession of a weapon by a previous offender. The woman, who has a separate warrant, is being investigated on a drug charge.
Police said the investigation is continuing and that some questions about the situation remain unanswered.
"We need to identify exactly, to the extent possible, why individuals were here in the first place, why proximity to downtown — we don't have those answers," Police Chief Paul Pazen said at the briefing. "What I can say is that through the great work of the staff at the Maven [Hotel] and the great work by our officers, that this is a safer city. Taking guns off the street, taking narcotics off the street, is a good thing for the people of Denver."
The FBI said in a statement provided to CBS News on Sunday that it was aware of the arrests and was coordinating with Denver police "regarding this criminal matter."
"We have no reason to believe this incident was connected to terrorism or a threat directed at the All-Star Game. We are not aware of any threat to the All-Star Game events, venues, players, or the community at this time," the FBI said.
Coors Field will host the All-Star Game on Tuesday, but festivities have been underway in and around the ballpark and downtown for the last several days.
CBS News' Pat Milton contributed reporting.
