A man identified as Michael Rodrigues was arrested Tuesday morning at Palm Beach International Airport after authorities discovered a loaded AR-15 rifle and multiple knives hidden inside a rental car registered in his name.
Airport operations personnel observed Rodrigues behaving suspiciously near a dark-colored vehicle in a restricted area around 7:00 a.m., prompting a call to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies found him getting dressed outside the car.
Inside the vehicle, officers uncovered a fully loaded AR-15, a magazine with ammunition, and several knives concealed under a blanket on the front seat. Rodrigues, a convicted felon with a criminal record that includes assault and robbery, was arrested without resistance.
He faces charges including trespassing in a secured airport zone, possession of cocaine, and illegal possession of firearms. No threats against airport operations or passengers have been reported. The investigation remains ongoing.
