CASPER
New member
A 22-year-old U.S. Marine Corps reservist with a suspicious backpack prompted authorities to temporarily close major roads around the Pentagon on Friday, but bomb experts determined it did not contain explosives.
The FBI said Yonathan Melaku, of Alexandria, Virginia, was taken into custody for trespass after being observed inside Arlington National Cemetery, near the Pentagon, in the early morning hours when the cemetery was closed.
Authorities traced his car to a wooded area near the Pentagon. An initial search of the vehicle found no immediate threat, the FBI said.
His backpack contained "unknown materials which initially caused public safety concerns," the FBI said. But bomb experts at the scene determined the items were "non-explosive and inert." The materials were undergoing further testing.
"At this time, law enforcement believes Melaku acted alone and that there were no other locations or activity involved," the FBI said.
The security scare caused huge traffic jams by the Pentagon in the early morning commute. The incident occurred at a time when U.S. authorities have expressed concern about possible retaliatory attacks following the U.S. killing last month of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.
Melaku joined the Marine Corps reserve in 2007 and is currently listed as a motor vehicle operator in the military. Melaku, who has been awarded medals, has not deployed overseas, the FBI said.
Melaku remains in the custody of the U.S. Park Police, the FBI said. His residence was searched as part of the investigation, the FBI said.
The Pentagon has been the scene of a number of security incidents since the building was struck by a hijacked airliner during the September 11 attacks in 2001, including an exchange of gunfire outside the building between a man and security guards in March 2010.
Last December, an unattended blinking package prompted authorities to shut the Pentagon's subway station for 90 minutes during rush hour. It turned out to be a Christmas ornament.
The latest incident was being investigated by several agencies including the FBI, Pentagon Police, U.S. Park Police and local authorities.
The FBI said Yonathan Melaku, of Alexandria, Virginia, was taken into custody for trespass after being observed inside Arlington National Cemetery, near the Pentagon, in the early morning hours when the cemetery was closed.
Authorities traced his car to a wooded area near the Pentagon. An initial search of the vehicle found no immediate threat, the FBI said.
His backpack contained "unknown materials which initially caused public safety concerns," the FBI said. But bomb experts at the scene determined the items were "non-explosive and inert." The materials were undergoing further testing.
"At this time, law enforcement believes Melaku acted alone and that there were no other locations or activity involved," the FBI said.
The security scare caused huge traffic jams by the Pentagon in the early morning commute. The incident occurred at a time when U.S. authorities have expressed concern about possible retaliatory attacks following the U.S. killing last month of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.
Melaku joined the Marine Corps reserve in 2007 and is currently listed as a motor vehicle operator in the military. Melaku, who has been awarded medals, has not deployed overseas, the FBI said.
Melaku remains in the custody of the U.S. Park Police, the FBI said. His residence was searched as part of the investigation, the FBI said.
The Pentagon has been the scene of a number of security incidents since the building was struck by a hijacked airliner during the September 11 attacks in 2001, including an exchange of gunfire outside the building between a man and security guards in March 2010.
Last December, an unattended blinking package prompted authorities to shut the Pentagon's subway station for 90 minutes during rush hour. It turned out to be a Christmas ornament.
The latest incident was being investigated by several agencies including the FBI, Pentagon Police, U.S. Park Police and local authorities.