A man was taken into custody by U.S. Capitol Police on Wednesday near the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial in Washington, D.C., after he attempted to ignite his vehicle, which reportedly contained napalm.
In a press release issued on Wednesday, U.S. Capitol Police confirmed that officers had “apprehended a man who tried to set his car on fire along First Street, NW, close to the Grant Memorial.”
“Shortly before 5:30 p.m., USCP officers were alerted to a man who had parked on First Street, NW. The individual had ignited a bag that was placed on top of his car,” the U.S. Capitol Police further noted. “As officers rushed to the scene, the bag extinguished itself. The individual was subsequently arrested.”
The U.S. Capitol Police stated that the suspect’s vehicle was deemed “suspicious” and was examined by the Hazardous Incident Response Division “as a precaution.” The press release detailed that although the suspect’s car had been spray-painted and “accelerants” were discovered in the bag, law enforcement officials confirmed that the vehicle posed no threat around 7:00 p.m.
The U.S. Capitol Police also reported the arrest of 35-year-old Adrian J. Hinton for engaging in illegal activities. Police officials indicated that while the suspect’s motive is still being investigated, they “do not believe there is an ongoing threat.”
READ MORE: Pic: Democrat staffer arrested for bringing ammo into US Capitol office
The U.S. Capitol Police also confirmed that the incident that occurred Wednesday evening was “not thought to be connected” to the earlier arrest of another individual who tried to bring three knives and a machete past a security checkpoint at the Capitol Visitor Center.
“On two occasions today, our officers intervened with a man who posed a potential danger to the Capitol Hill community,” U.S. Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger remarked. “This level of vigilance is essential during this period of heightened security.”
The Daily Wire reported that the incident near the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial coincided with the anticipated visit of President-elect Donald Trump to the U.S. Capitol to pay tribute to former President Jimmy Carter.
A source familiar with the events of Wednesday claimed that a grounds crew worker observed the suspect trying to ignite something near his vehicle, which was located by the monument. The source mentioned that the individual stated he had “napalm” in his vehicle and was “attempting to set it on fire.”
