6 Armed With Grenade Launcher Arrested in D.C.

Federal agents and police swooped into a tourist-packed motel today and arrested three men and three women armed with a grenade launcher, machine guns, rifles and pistols and carrying a Nazi flag, police said.

Authorities said they were still trying to learn why the six--five from Texas and one from Washingtonian--had gathered in the capital with a cache of at least 19 weapons, some with silencers.

An FBI spokeswoman said six children apparently with the group were taken into protective custody.

Federal agents, including some from the Secret Service, which protects President Bush and other high officials, took part in the raid. A spokesman said Secret Service participation was precautionary and there appeared to be no threat to the President or others under its protection.

One federal law-enforcement source said investigators were checking to see whether the group had targeted an embassy or consulate for attack.

“I think they were pretty serious, actually,” the source said.

Those arrested in the early morning raid were identified as Richard McEwen, 40, his wife, Billy Joy, 43, Diana McEwen, 28, and John Barnhart, 33, all of Rowlett, Tex.; Margaret Arredondo, 29, of Dallas, and Kelvin Dee Owen, 21, of Washington. All were charged with carrying dangerous weapons and held for arraignment.

The motel is in an outlying district of the capital several miles from the White House and central tourist attractions. It was crowded with seasonal visitors.

FBI spokeswoman Bobbi Wallace said a Nazi flag was found in one of the two cars with Texas license plates that were seized.

Enforcement sources said at least 19 weapons were seized, including a grenade launcher.