US Capitol Police arrest man outside DNC HQ armed with machete and driving truck

A California man was arrested with machetes and knives outside of the Democratic National Committee’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. early Monday morning, where he was found sitting inside a truck covered in swastikas and other white supremacy logos.

Officials say officers pulled his truck over after they realized it did not have a license plate, and noticed there was a bayonet and a machete inside â€" both of which are illegal in Washington D.C. 

Donald Craighead, 44, of Oceanside, California, is now being charged with possession of prohibited weapons, the United States Capitol Police announced. 

Capitol Police officers found numerous knives, a bayonet and a machete â€" both of which are illegal in Washington D.C. inside a truck Monday morning

Capitol Police say a Special Operations Division Officer was on patrol at around midnight on Monday, when he noticed a Dodge Dakota pickup truck outside the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington D.C.

It had a swastika and other white supremacist symbols painted on it, Capitol Police report

The truck did not have a license plate, but instead had a picture of an American flag where the license plate should have been

According to the Capitol Police, a Special Operations Division Officer was on patrol at around midnight on Monday, when he noticed a Dodge Dakota pickup truck with a swastika and other white supremacist symbols painted on it.

The truck did not have a license plate, and instead had a picture of an American flag placed where the license plate should have been.

The officer then pulled Craighead over, the police report, and noticed a bayonet and machete in his car. Both weapons are illegal in D.C.

Officers say Craighead then told them he was ‘on patrol,’ and began talking about white supremacist ideology and other rhetoric pertaining to white supremacy.

Photos released by the Capitol Police show the truck had a swastika painted on its driver side-view mirror, and another surrounding a quarter glued to a pillar inside.

It also had antlers mounted on the grills, with what appears to be the word ‘Confederate’ scribbled on the dashboard, and what might be an Othala Rune â€" a white supremacist symbol on its rear. 

 â€˜This is an excellent example of the work our officers do every day,’ said Operational Services Bureau Deputy Chief Jason Bell. ‘We are proud of these officers for their vigilance.’ 

The truck was parked outside the Democratic National Headquarters, pictured

Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger said the authorities are planning to put up a fence around the Capitol ahead of a right-wing rally on Saturday

The arrest comes as law enforcement in the area are bracing for potential clashes and unrest at an upcoming right-wing rally on Saturday, CNN reports.

The Capitol Police have formally asked the Capitol Police Board for temporary fencing to be put around the complex ahead of the rally, a source told CNN. It will ultimately be up to the Capitol Police Board to make the decision.

On Monday, Manger confirmed to reporters that a fence will be erected around the Capitol ‘a day or two before.’

He told Business Insider, ‘We are closely monitoring September 18, and we are planning accordingly.

‘After January 6, we made department-wide changes to the way we gather and share intelligence internally and externally. I am confident the work we are doing now will make sure our officers have what they need to keep everyone safe.’

The so-called ‘Justice for J6’ rally aims to support the individuals who have been accused, arrested and charged for their actions during the riot at the Capitol on January 6. 

It is organized by Look Ahead America, an organization led by Matt Braynard, a former director of data and strategy for the Trump campaign. He expects there will be 700 demonstrators this weekend, according to Fox 5. 

Meanwhile, CNN reports, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi invited Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy for a security briefing in her office with Police Chief Tom Manger to discuss security preparations for the rally.

The top Democratic and Republican lawmakers on the House Administration Committee are also expected to receive separate security briefings in the coming days. 

It remains unclear whether he planned to attend any demonstrations, or if he has ties to any other crimes in the area, Capitol Police said. 

Source: dailymail

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