An unidentified man wearing what he thought was a suicide vest packed with explosives was arrested near the U.S. Capitol building in Washington by FBI agents who had been closely monitoring him in an undercover sting operation, officials announced Friday.

“I can confirm there is an arrest of a suspect in Washington D.C. in connection with a terrorism investigation,” said Bill Carter, a spokesman at FBI headquarters.

“It is the culmination of an undercover operation in which the suspect was closely monitored by law enforcement. Explosives the suspect allegedly sought to use had been rendered inoperable and posed no threat to the public.”

Carter did not release the name of the suspect, but said he was expected to appear in federal court later Friday afternoon in Washington.

“Searches are ongoing now” in connection with the case, he added.


richard.serrano@latimes.com