Police: Man claiming anthrax drives truck on National Mall

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Police say a man is in custody after driving his truck onto the National Mall, claiming he had been exposed to anthrax at a farm in Virginia.

The suspect said he brought some of the substance with him to be checked out.

Police said they swabbed the man for anthrax and the test came back negative. He was taken away to be decontaminated.

Park Police spokeswoman Sgt. Anna Rose said in a news release said the police officers who were in contact with him went through decontamination as well.

The man called U.S. Capitol Police to warn of the alleged exposure and said he had some of the substance in his truck. The man drove onto the mall in front of the Capitol, near the reflecting pool.

CBS News' Jeff Pegues reports that police say the man has been taken to the hospital.

Authorities closed several streets in the area, and emergency responders were told to suit up, but firefighters quickly determined there was no hazardous material, fire department spokesman Doug Buchanan said.

Earlier, a robot appeared to be checking the suspect's truck.

U.S. Park Police is leading the investigation.

Federal officials tell CBS News that the truck is being examined under an abundance of caution. No anthrax has been detected yet.

Witness Tom Cipu described the arrest of the suspect to CBS affiliate WUSA. He said the man surrendered.

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• Washington D.C.