U.S. Capitol Police arrested a woman near the inauguration perimeter checkpoint for impersonating a police officer.
The police report, shared with the Washington Examiner, cites that the woman was carrying a round, metallic object identified as a Military Police Challenge Coin. She reportedly claimed to be a member of the presidential Cabinet and a law enforcement officer.
Police asked the woman to park her car three times and then to turn her car off. When police asked the woman for her driver’s license, she started the car and attempted to drive away. She was later arrested for impersonation, in addition to failure to obey, and for fleeing a law enforcement officer.
The woman was later transported to United Medical Center for evaluation and then to the Capitol Police building.
The Washington Examiner contacted the Capitol Police to find out the status of the woman’s detainment.
After the deadly Capitol riot on Jan. 6 that left five people dead, federal and local officials have increased security efforts ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on Jan. 20. An internal FBI bulletin is reportedly warning that armed protests are planned at all 50 state capitols in the United States and the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Over 100 people were arrested for their role in the riot, and the Justice Department opened more than 170 cases related to the incident.
Around 20,000 armed National Guard soldiers are expected to secure the D.C. area on Inauguration Day, now just three days away.