Truck Parked on National Mall, Driver Thought He Found Anthrax

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A man has been detained after driving a pickup truck onto the National Mall filled with what he thought was anthrax, but instead was just a benign substance spread on a field somewhere in Virginia, according to police.

In a statement, U.S. Park Police said the man drove a white four-door pickup truck onto the National Mall between 3rd and 4th streets Northwest, and claimed he had been exposed to anthrax.

"The man had called the United States Capitol Police to warn of the exposure and that he had anthrax with him in the vehicle," police stated. "After exiting the vehicle, he was checked for exposure to anthrax. The test results were negative. As a safety precaution he and the officers who made contact him went through a decontamination procedure."

The man apparently saw the substance being spread on a field in Virginia and thought it was a threat, so he collected it and took it to the National Mall to "warn others of the danger."

Police said he never threatened everyone and complied with the investigation.

Road closures will remain in effect until police can fully investigate the truck.

The U.S. Capitol Police, Metropolitan Police Department and D.C. Fire and EMS helped investigate the incident.

Anthrax is a deadly infectious disease that became notorious when it was mailed to news media offices and U.S. senators just a week after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Authorities think he may be suffering from a mental illness, according to reports.