Intruder scales fence into White House, arrested

White House

The intruder scaled the fence around midnight, the Secret Service said
-Getty Image

The intruder scaled the fence around midnight, the Secret Service said
-Getty Image

A man has been arrested after breaching the White House grounds carrying a backpack, the Secret Service said.

The breach happened around midnight on Friday while President Donald Trump was in the building, the agency said.

BBC reports that the intruder was arrested without incident and no hazardous materials were found in the backpack.

Mr Trump and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly were briefed on the incident.

Related News

The Secret Service said agents searched the grounds and found “nothing of concern to security operations”.

Intruders have broken into the grounds of the White House before by scaling the perimeter fence, They are usually handed over to local police.

In 2014, 42-year-old Omar Gonzales made it through the north portico doors into the building, armed with a three-and-a-half-inch (9cm) folding knife.

He was arrested just after making it inside the doors, the Secret Service said at the time.

Load more