Fairfax Co. Man Tries To Light Fire Outside US Capitol: Police

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Capitol Police arrested a Fairfax County man on Wednesday after he tried to set his car on fire along First Street NW, near the Grant Memorial.

Officers were alerted just before 5:30 p.m. that a man had lit a bag on fire that was located on the roof of his car. As the officers were making their way to the area near the memorial, the bag self-extinguished.

Officers arrested 35-year-old Adrian J. Hinton of Lorton and charged him for unlawful activities, according to a police news release.

“Out of an abundance of caution, the vehicle was declared suspicious, so the USCP’s Hazardous Incident Response Division cleared the vehicle,” according to Capitol Police. "Nothing dangerous was found and the area reopened around 7 p.m."

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

Around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, USCP arrested 44-year-old Mel J. Home of Washington D.C., after officers spotted a machete in his bag as he was going through an x-ray machine at the Capitol Visitor Center’s north doors, according to authorities.

Officers arrested Home after they found the machete and three knives inside the bag, according to authorities. He faces multiple carrying a dangerous weapon charges.

“Our officers know they cannot let their guard down for one second,” Manger said. “It is this constant focus and attention to detail that helps keep this campus safe.”