Photo by Kim Baker

U.S. Capitol Police said today that they arrested on Tuesday a man walking on the Capitol grounds who was carrying an illegal firearm. With security tightened and tensions raised at government buildings across Washington following Monday’s bombings at the Boston Marathon, officers stopped North Carolina resident Alan Hoyle, who was carrying an unlicensed pistol

Hoyle, 52, was arrested just before 2 p.m. Tuesday outside the east front of the Capitol, Lt. Jessica Baboulis said. He was found to be in possession of an unregistered firearm and unregistered ammunition. Capitol Police recommended Hoyle be charged with carrying a pistol without a license.

Hoyle was formally charged yesterday in D.C. Superior Court on one count of carrying a pistol outside his home or business. He was released pending a trial and ordered to stay away from Capitol Hill.

Capitol Police arrested a Florida man last week on similar charges.