USCP Arrests Man Who Attempted to Light Car on Fire

United States Capitol Police (USCP) officers arrested a man who attempted to set his car on fire along First Street, NW, near the Grant Memorial.

Just before 5:30 p.m., USCP officers were alerted to a man who had parked on First Street, NW. The man had lit a bag, which was on top of his car, on fire. While officers ran over to the man, the bag extinguished on its own. The man was arrested. 

Out of an abundance of caution, the vehicle was declared suspicious, so the USCP’s Hazardous Incident Response Division cleared the vehicle. Officials determined that the car was not a danger at approximately 7:00 p.m.

The car had been spray-painted. Investigators determined that accelerants were in the bag.

“Twice today our officers stopped a man who could have been a danger to the Capitol Hill community,” said U.S. Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger. “This vigilance is critical during this time of heightened security.”

35-year-old Adrian J. Hinton, of Virginia, was arrested for Unlawful Activities. 

While the specific motive is still under investigation, officials do not believe there is an ongoing threat. This case is not believed to be connected to the arrest earlier today.

Public viewing for the lying in state was not stopped and will continue throughout the night, into Thursday morning.