Police Arrest Chevy Chase Man With Arsenal Of Weapons
Suspect Charged For Production, Possession Of Marijuana
POSTED: 6:19 p.m. EST December 21, 2004
UPDATED: 8:48 p.m. EST December 21, 2004
CHEVY CHASE, Md. -- Investigators from the Montgomery County Police Firearms Investigations Unit arrested a man from Chevy Chase, after following up on a report he made to police on Oct. 12 that his .45-caliber handgun had been taken in a possible "black-bag" burglary by the FBI.
On Dec. 16, investigators from the Firearms Investigation Unit and the FBI visited 51-year-old Peter H. Velis' residence in the 8200 block of Colston Place. Detectives said they were concerned about the Velis' mental status and had learned that he had several regulated firearms in his possession. Velis invited the authorities inside to follow up on his complaint, police said.
After entering the home, detectives saw marijuana seeds in canisters and several firearms in plain view, police said. Velis was arrested for controlled dangerous substance offenses and officers obtained a search warrant for the residence.
According to police, the officers found numerous guns, ammunition and explosives and an indoor marijuana growing operation. There were also five bulletproof vests, a Kevlar helmet and several cases converted to conceal weapons, police said.
Authorities said a shooting range was set up inside the home, along with rooms set up with collected information on the John F. Kennedy assassination, Centennial Olympic Park bombing suspect Eric Rudolph, and anthrax suspect Steven Hatfil.
"I'm an inventor and a very creative person," Velis told News4. "My interest was in developing small devices, not explosives, to move into devices that could be used by special forces under unusual circumstances."
The indoor marijuana growing operation had approximately 90 small plants, police said.
Velis was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, manufacturing a controlled dangerous substance and altering the manufacturer's identification number on a firearm, along with other charges. Additional charges are pending from the Fire Marshal's Office.
