U.S. officials and media have said a man draped in an American flag jumped over the fence of the White House while President Barack Obama was inside with his family celebrating Thanksgiving on Thursday.AFP reports that the man was quickly stopped by Secret Service agents after breaching a barricade and jumping over the fence on the North Lawn that was recently refitted with seven-inch (18-centimeter) spikes to make it harder to vault over. In a statement, the Secret Service named the man as Joseph Caputo: "Caputo was immediately apprehended and taken into custody. Criminal charges are pending at this time." Secret Service officers had their guns drawn and were accompanied by K-9 units. The incident triggered a lockdown at the presidential mansion. Caputo who was carrying an envelope, wore a blue shirt and white pants, and was cloaked in an American flag. He entered the front door of the White House and went through several rooms before being overpowered and arrested. It was revealed that he was at least the third person to scale a fence and make it on to White House property this year.
Posted: at | |