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Investigators found a Nazi flag in the truck that crashed into a White House barrier, while the driver was detained. Photo/The Guardian
WASHINGTON – Secret Service or the Secret Service says it has detained the driver of a rental box truck that crashed into a nearby security barrier White House , United States of America (USA), on Monday evening, likely on purpose, but no injuries or ongoing harm.
A witness told Reuters investigators found a Nazi swastika flag that appeared to have come from inside the truck, which crashed into a barrier in Lafayette Square, adjacent to the White House lawn.
A Reuters photographer said officers took flags and plastic evidence bags that had been placed on the sidewalk after the crash and placed them in the back of a U-Haul truck.
“Initial investigations reveal that the driver may have intentionally crashed into a security barrier in Lafayette Square,” Anthony Guglielmi, head of Secret Service communications, said on Twitter.
“US Parks Police will file charges with investigative support from the Secret Service,” he added.
An earlier tweet from Guglielmi said no one from the White House or Secret Service was hurt.
WUSA television showed video of a box-type U-Haul truck pulling up beside a row of steel bollards, with uniformed law enforcement officers and a dog approaching the vehicle. The remote-controlled robot then forced open the back door of the truck, revealing a dummy but no other apparent payload.
Chris Zaboji, a witness to the crash, posted a short video on social media showing the truck driving up to the barricade. The video has been verified by Reuters.
“After crashing once, the driver hit the barrier a second time,” he said.