Police and the Secret Service responded to a suspicious vehicle near the White House after the driver tried to illegally gain entry to the White House complex early Thursday, authorities said. The Secret Service said around 6 a.m. Thursday, a vehicle trailed an official vehicle through the gate at Lafayette Park trying to get into the complex.

The Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit of the D.C. police department and the Secret Service investigated the vehicle, CBS affiliate WUSA-TV reported. The vehicle was stopped and the individual was taken into custody by Secret Service, they confirmed. 

Secret Service closed the surrounding roads -- Pennsylvania Ave. Northwest and 17th Street Northwest -- due to the security alert, the station reported. The roads were also closed to pedestrian traffic, police said. 

First published on November 21, 2019 / 7:33 AM

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