Suspect arrested after scaling White House fence, Secret Service says

[rooster59]

Suspect arrested after scaling White House fence, Secret Service says

By Emily Stephenson

 

FILE PHOTO: A restricted area sign is seen outside of the White House in Washington November 27, 2015. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An intruder carrying a backpack was arrested after scaling a fence and entering the White House grounds, the U.S. Secret Service said on Saturday, in the latest breach of security at the president's official residence.

President Donald Trump was inside the White House when a male suspect scaled the complex's South Grounds fence at 11:38 p.m. on Friday, and uniformed officers arrested him, the Secret Service said in a statement.

Trump was not in any danger during the incident, CNN reported, citing an unnamed source.

A 2014 intrusion at the White House prompted the resignation of Secret Service director Julia Pierson and a series of recommendations to tighten security. In 2015, a row of sharp spikes was bolted to the top of the black iron fence surrounding the property.

In the latest incident, the suspect was apprehended near the south portico entrance, where presidents often address the public, CNN said. The entrance is near the part of the White House where the president resides.

Authorities did not immediately identify the suspect but Martin Mulholland, a spokesman for the Secret Service, said he had no arrest record or history with the agency, which is charged with protecting the president, his family and other elected officials.

The backpack carried by the intruder was screened and searched as a precaution, and no hazardous material was found, according the statement. The Secret Service searched the north and south grounds but nothing of concern turned up.

Neither the Secret Service nor the White House responded immediately to a request for further details.

SECURITY SHAKEUP

The most serious of the recent security incidents at the White House occurred in September 2014, when an Army veteran carrying a knife climbed the fence and pushed his way inside the building before he was stopped.

Another man wearing an American flag jumped the fence in November 2015. In April 2016, an intruder threw a backpack over the outer fence and then scaled it before getting arrested.

The Secret Service and National Park Service have been working on a new fence design and other upgrades.

Joseph Clancy, her replacement, said in February that he planned to step down in March, allowing Trump to name his own security chief.

The service's credibility was also damaged in 2012 when it was revealed that members had hired prostitutes while in Colombia in advance of a trip by then-President Barack Obama.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-03-12

[Andaman Al]

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

The Secret Service and National Park Service have been working on a new fence design and other upgrades.

Build a wall!  

[MarkusAUST]

Interesting story involving an obvious lunatic.

And someone climbing a fence to try to see him.

[philliphn]

I suggest. That they build a fence high, and curving towards the ground. That way a persons body weight works against them. This is a design similar to what prison fences are like. In tests of this design. Only one special forces member. Was actually able to pull himself up over the fence. Also, perimeter alarms wires on the fence. Of course the fence would be more decorative.

[Srikcir]

Another sloppy intercept by the Secret Service.

Jonathan Tuan-Anh Tran penetrated up to 200 yards near the White House South Entrance from where he entered the grounds by jumping the fence. He was able to walked alongside the mansion and hid behind a pillar before being apprehended.  Fortunately Jon was not set to cause physical damage. Homemade TATP or C4 could have caused a lot of damage and perhaps injury.

[whatawonderfulday]

I'm sure that should someone actually get to Trump then 75% of America and most of the civilised world would breath a sigh of relief.

[ChiangMaiLightning2143]

What happened to that crazed retired Postman what landed an Gyrocopter on the White House lawn?


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