U.S. Capitol Police arrested a man on Wednesday after he allegedly tried to set his car on fire near the Capitol building, just hours before President-elect Donald Trump was scheduled to visit the area.
The suspect, identified as 35-year-old Adrian J. Hinton from Virginia, was taken into custody after nearby officers responded to a suspicious vehicle parked near the Grant Memorial on First Street around 5:30 p.m.
Capitol Police said that Hinton had placed a bag on top of his car, lit it on fire, and attempted to ignite the vehicle. However, the fire quickly extinguished on its own, and no injuries were reported, according to a press release from law enforcement officials.
The vehicle, which had been spray-painted, was first declared suspicious by nearby police surveillance. The Capitol Police’s Hazardous Incident Response Division responded to the scene, updating citizens through social media to clear the area before determining that the car contained fire-making materials, leading to Hinton’s arrest.
“Twice today our officers stopped a man who could have been a danger to the Capitol Hill community,” Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger said in a statement. “This vigilance is critical during this time of heightened security.”
Hinton’s arrest occurred just hours after a separate security breach earlier in the day. At around 2:00 p.m., Capitol Police arrested 44-year-old Mel Horne after he attempted to enter the Capitol Visitor Center with a machete and three knives in his bag. The machete was discovered during a routine security check at the Visitor Center’s north entrance.
As a result, Horne was immediately arrested and charged with multiple counts of carrying a dangerous weapon, with investigators now working to determine his motives.
As both investigations continue, Capitol Police have reassured the public that there was no immediate threat to the safety of the Capitol or its occupants.
“Our officers know they cannot let their guard down for one second. It is this constant focus and attention to detail that helps keep this campus safe,” Manger added.