Boston man with dangerous items arrested at LAX

LOS ANGELES (WHDH) -- A Boston man was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport after he allegedly tried to bring dangerous items onto a flight.

Authorities took 28-year-old Yongda Huang Harris into custody at the airport on suspicion of transporting hazardous materials on a flight from Japan. Customs agents uncovered weapons in his checked luggage including a smoke grenade, full-face respirator, billy clubs, hatchet knives, a gas mask, a biohazard suit and body bags.

Harris drew suspicion when federal officers noticed he was wearing a bulletproof vest and flame-retardant pants under a trench coat.

The affidavit says the smoke grenade falls into a category that is prohibited on board passenger aircraft by the United Nations.

The 28 year old's neighbors in Dorchester were shocked to hear of the arrest.

Federal agents say the U.S. citizen of Chinese decent was coming from Japan - where he works - and on his way home to Boston.

7News has learned he graduated from Boston University in Jan. 2011 with a degree in Biomedical Laboratory and Clinical Sciences.

Harris was arraigned on Tuesday and is currently being held in Los Angeles.

Harris faces up to five years in prison and $25,000 in fines if convicted of hazardous materials.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.