Yonathan Melaku, a Lance Corporal Marine Corps reservist arrested near the Pentagon last week under suspicious surroundings, has been formally charged by the Federal authorities in connection with the 2010 shootings at the Pentagon and the National Museum of the Marine Corps.

The CNN reported that the police, who searched his residence, seized incriminating evidence including documents dealing with bomb-making and explosives.

They also found a videotape which shows Melaku in a car driving near what appears to be the National Museum of the Marine Corps and repeatedly firing a handgun from the vehicle out of the passenger-side window, the report said.

The video shows him making statements that apparently link him to the 2010 shootings at sensitive targets.

The 22-year-old military man was arrested in the wee hours of Friday at Arlington Cemetery near the Pentagon. It was reported that a bag recovered from his car contained ammonium nitrate, ammunition and al Qaeda literature. Later tests established that the material found on him were not explosive.

However, police were investigating if Melaku has any connection with the jihadists who posted a list of top Us targets to be attacked as the 9/11 anniversary is approaching. The police had said it was 'unfolding case.'

Melaku had been charged with four counts of grand larceny last month after he was arrested for breaking into 27 cars in Leesburg, and stealing valuables.

Melaku, an Ethiopian-American, joined the Marine Corps Reserve in September 2007. He had won the National Defense Service Medal and the Selected Marine Corps Reserve medal.

Al-Qaeda