Friday, June 17, 2011

Pentagon Police Arrest Pentagon Intruder

An unidentified man tried to push his way past Pentagon security Wednesday and was wrestled to the ground by police and arrested, officials said.
The man tried to get into the huge military headquarters near the building entrance that fronts on Washington's subway system and a number of bus routes. But it was unclear how he got to the Pentagon.
"Pentagon police wrestled him to the ground ... he is under arrest," said department spokeswoman Cheryl Irwin.
She said it was unclear whether the man was armed. Building police -- members of the Pentagon Force Protection Agency -- drew their weapons but no shots were fired, she said of the attempted security breach that happened at about 1:15 p.m. EDT.
The man's identity and other details were not immediately available.

1 person in custody in investigation at Pentagon

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — One person was taken into custody early Friday after being found near the Pentagon with suspicious materials in his backpack, authorities said.
U.S. Park Police spokesman Sgt. David Schlosser said the man was in Arlington National Cemetery overnight, when it is closed, triggering an investigation. He said the man was initially uncooperative.
FBI Special Agt. Brenda Heck said the man was carrying a backpack that contained suspicious materials and a non-explosive material was found.
A law enforcement official speaking on the condition of anonymity said officials found what appeared to be a small quantity of ammonium nitrate, but the official, who was not authorized to release the information, said there was nothing that would have enabled an explosion. The official said tests were being done to determine the exact concentration.
Heck said in the course of the investigation, police were directed to a car, a red 2011 Nissan. No suspicious activity was said to be connected with the vehicle, she said, adding that the man was believed to be in his 20s. Heck said it is believed the man acted alone.
Pentagon police spokesman Chris Layman said the car was in bushes near the Pentagon’s north parking lot.
In another incident earlier this week, a motorist found with a gun and what appeared to be a suspicious package near the Pentagon was taken into custody.
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Associated Press writers Lolita Baldor, Jessica Gresko and Karen Mahabir contributed to this report.