Capitol police arrest man with bayonet and machete in truck near DNC headquarters

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Patrol officers noticed the Dodge Dakota van around midnight on Sunday. Police say the truck had no license plate, but an image of an American flag.

Officers stopped the truck and noticed a bayonet and a machete, which are illegal in the District of Columbia. The driver, identified as Donald Craighead, 44, of Oceanside, California, was arrested.

The arrest comes as law enforcement officers are already preparing for possible clashes and riots during an upcoming right-wing rally on Saturday in Washington, DC, according to an internal Capitol Police note reviewed by CNN last week.

Capitol police have formally asked the Capitol Police Board to put back temporary fencing around the complex before the rally, a source familiar with the planning told CNN. The Capitol Police Board will make the final call, but the recommendation will weigh heavily in its final decision.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has invited Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to a briefing in his office with U.S. Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger to discuss security preparations for the rally, according to a family source. Leading Democratic and Republican lawmakers on the House Administration Committee are also expected to receive separate security briefings in the coming days, another source said.

Monday’s incident also comes a month after a few-hour clash near the U.S. Capitol on Aug. 19, during which a 49-year-old suspicious North Carolina man claimed to have an explosive device. . That incident led to the evacuation of several buildings in the area. Following the arrest of this suspect, the USCP said no bombs were found in the suspect’s truck, but that he had equipment for making bombs.

CNN’s Melanie Zanona, Whitney Wild and Annie Grayer contributed to this report.

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