Airport scare: Man found with loaded AR-15 rifle outside Florida airport frequented by Trump; convicted felon under investigation

A man was taken into custody early Tuesday after authorities found a loaded AR-15 rifle and multiple knives inside a rental vehicle parked in a restricted area at Palm Beach County Airport, Florida, as per law enforcement officials.The airport is frequently used by Trump, who is not currently in Florida, officials confirmed.Deputies from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) responded around 7.10 am after airport staff reported a suspicious person standing near a dark-colored vehicle in a secure parking zone, reported Fox News.The suspect, identified as Michael Rodrigues, 41, was found getting dressed outside the parked rental car by the authorities."When deputies opened the glove compartment to retrieve the rental agreement, they discovered a fully loaded AR-15 magazine inside," wrote Teri Barbera, a spokesperson for PSBO, reported Local 10.As deputies continued to search the vehicle, they found the AR-15 rifle and multiple knives concealed under a blanket on the seat. He was arrested without incident.A law enforcement official has said that no threats have been reported, and the motive behind the incident is still unknown, reported Fox News. Rodrigues, a convicted felon with a history of criminal charges dating back to 2006, was most recently arrested in April for allegedly strangling the mother of his child unconscious, according to Palm Beach County court records, reports the Miami Herald.Rodrigues has not been formally charged as the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities are currently seeking a search warrant to further inspect the vehicle and gather additional evidence.