Woman charged after vehicle hits barrier near White House
A woman suspected of ramming her vehicle into a White House security barrier on Friday afternoon has been taken into custody and charged with multiple criminal charges, according to the U.S. Secret Service and local authorities. A law enforcement source identified to CBS News the woman arrested in connection with ramming of the barricade at the White House today as Jessica Ford.
The White House went on lockdown Friday afternoon when the suspect allegedly "intentionally drove a white can into a security barrier near the White House," as the U.S. Secret Service described the incident late Friday. The vehicle did not breach the security barrier, and no law enforcement personnel were injured in the incident.
The woman — as a source described to CBS News' Pat Milton and later confirmed by the Secret Service — was known to the Service Service. She has been charged with "numerous criminal violations," according to the Secret Service.
"The Secret Service has had previous encounters with the female in the vicinity of the White House resulting in numerous arrests for a variety of criminal violations," the Secret Service said in an official statement. "The female was again charged today with numerous criminal violations and transported to the Metropolitan Police Department. The White House complex has returned to normal operations."
The incident took place as President Trump was inside the White House, after holding a press conference with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, naturally heightening concerns.
Mr. Trump thanked the Secret Service on Twitter for responding.
Thank you to the great men and women of the United States @SecretService for a job well done!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 23, 2018
— CBS News Pat Milton and Kathryn Watson contributed to this report.