Ex-NYPD cop claims he was too drunk to realize storming the Capitol on January 6 was illegal - as warrant reveals he was arrested after old pals spotted him on CNN

 A former NYPD cop turned local GOP leader claims he was too drunk to realize storming the Capitol on January 6 was illegal.

Philip Grillo, 46, was arrested on February 22 for participating in the January 6 Capitol riots after two old pals spotted him taking part in the riot on CNN, it is alleged. 

Grillo - who serves as district leader for the Queens branch of the Republican party - allegedly told the FBI that he 'was drunk at the time' and that he 'did not think he had done anything illegal.'

His apparent excuse was revealed in a search warrant heard at the United States District Court for the District of Columbia revealed. 

Grillo added that he 'did not realize he was trespassing,' the Capitol building and 'that he protected police officers inside the Capitol and did not push past officers,' court documents said. 

Grillo is captured on surveillance footage at the front of a crowd pushing past officers at the Capitol building entry way with a crowd chanting 'fight for Trump!' 

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Grillo is captured on surveillance footage at the front of a crowd pushing past officers at the Capitol building entry way with a crowd chanting 'fight for Trump!'

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Grillo (pictured)  told investigators that he tried to go live on Facebook after 'being pushed inside' the Capitol but his phone did not allow him to, court documents said

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Police stood outside the East Front of the US Capitol on January 6 after pro-Trump protesters stormed the grounds 

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Officers walked the halls of the US Capitol building early on January 7, 2020 after supporters of former president Donald Trump breached security and entered the building during a session of Congress

Grillo was initially turned over to authorities after two childhood friends reported him to the FBI after seeing him appear on CNN during the siege, it was claimed. 

They realized he was wearing his Catholic fraternity 'Knights of Columbus' jacket that had his name and the address of his local lodge on it, the Daily Beast reported. 

Grillo also told investigators that he tried to go live on Facebook after 'being pushed inside' the Capitol but his phone did not allow him to.

Court documents said that Grillo's phone pinged off a cell tower servicing the area in and around the Capitol building during the incident, apparently confirming that he was in the vicinity of the building. 

Additionally, automated license plate readers picked up the ex-cop's Chevy Traverse leaving New York on the night of January 5 and arriving in D.C in the early hours of January 6. 

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Ex-NYPD officer and current GOP district leader, Philip Grillo, 46, (pictured) was arrested on February 22 for participating in the January 6 Capitol riots

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Grillo (pictured) was initially turned over to authorities after two childhood friends reported him to the FBI after seeing him appear on CNN during the siege wearing his Catholic fraternity 'Knights of Columbus' jacket that had his name and the address of his local lodge on it

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Shattered reinforced glass and debris littered the East steps in the US Capitol after the deadly riots on January 6

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Assessing the damage: The aftermath of the Capitol siege included a banner saying, 'Treason,' lying on the ground next to fire extinguishers

Grillo returned home soon after the riot was over, the court document said. 

Thousands of pro-Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol building on January 6  in an attempt to overturn election results that declared Joe Biden the victor of the November 2020 election. 

Four people died in the ensuing chaos, with dozens of Capitol police officers also injured. 

Grillo is one of over 400 people who have been charged so far in the siege. 

His mom said she was 'truly upset' by news of his arrest, with the suspected rioter due back in court at a later date.  

The charges against the rioters range from misdemeanor offenses, such as disorderly conduct in a restricted building, to serious conspiracy cases against members and associates of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers extremist groups.