Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Man in custody over suspicious car near Pentagon

Ap
Friday 17 June 2011 09:23 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Authorities today closed several major highways around the Pentagon while investigating a nearby vehicle, after taking a man into custody.

Police said they discovered the man in nearby Arlington National Cemetery during the predawn hours and traced him to a car abandoned near a Pentagon parking lot.

US Park Police Sergeant David Schlosser could not confirm earlier reports that authorities had discovered a suspicious package inside the vehicle and were searching for as many as three others who had fled the scene on foot.

"There is no suspicious package I'm aware of," he told reporters.

But he said the area was being swept for explosive devices as a precaution.

The incident was being investigated by several agencies including the FBI and Pentagon police. A US official described it as "a law enforcement matter."

The Pentagon has been the scene of a number of security incidents since the September 11 attacks in 2001, including an exchange of gunfire outside the building between a man and security guards in March 2010.

Last December, an unattended blinking package prompted authorities to shut the Pentagon's subway station for 90 minutes during rush hour. It turned out to be a Christmas ornament.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in