HYDERABAD: A 19-year-old youth of Indian origin has been arrested by the law authorities in the US after he crashed into a metal bollard barriers near the White House in Washington DC on May 22. The youth Sai Varshith Kandula told the investigating agencies that his goal was to ‘get to the White House, seize power and be put in charge of the nation’.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), United States Park Police and the Metropolitan Police Department investigated the incident.
Around 9.35 pm on May 22, a USPP officer patrolling in a stationary police vehicle near H Street, Northwest between 16th Street and Jackson Place Northwest, observed an orange and white in colour U-Haul box truck (the “U-Haul”) travelling eastbound on H Street. The operator of the U-Haul, later identified to be Sai Varshith Kandula, turned onto the H Street walking entrance to Lafayett Square, close to 16th street.
“In doing so Kandula drove onto the sidewalk, sending multiple pedestrians running from the scene,” police said.
The USPP officer observed the U-Haul strike the metal bollard barriers that prevent vehicles from entering Lafayette Square, north of the White House grounds. After striking the barriers, the U-haul backed up in the reverse, and lurched forward, again striking the metal barriers.
The USPP officer engaged emergency lights, drove up behind the U-haul, and exited the vehicle to investigate.
The officer noticed the vehicle was smoking from the front hood and liquids were leaking from the vehicle’s undercarriage. At this point the USPP officer watched Kandula exit the driver’s side of the vehicle and go to the back of the U-haul.
“The officer watched as Kandula removed a red and white flag with a Nazi Swastika in the center from a black backpack he was carrying. At this point, the officer ordered Kandula down to the ground and detained and searched him. On his person, a Missouri driver’s license identification was found, bearing the name Sai Varshith Kandula.
No explosive were found in the U-haul and no weapons or ammunition were found on Kandula.
Sai Varshith Kandula was taken into custody by the USPP officer.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), United States Park Police and the Metropolitan Police Department investigated the incident.
Around 9.35 pm on May 22, a USPP officer patrolling in a stationary police vehicle near H Street, Northwest between 16th Street and Jackson Place Northwest, observed an orange and white in colour U-Haul box truck (the “U-Haul”) travelling eastbound on H Street. The operator of the U-Haul, later identified to be Sai Varshith Kandula, turned onto the H Street walking entrance to Lafayett Square, close to 16th street.
“In doing so Kandula drove onto the sidewalk, sending multiple pedestrians running from the scene,” police said.
The USPP officer observed the U-Haul strike the metal bollard barriers that prevent vehicles from entering Lafayette Square, north of the White House grounds. After striking the barriers, the U-haul backed up in the reverse, and lurched forward, again striking the metal barriers.
The USPP officer engaged emergency lights, drove up behind the U-haul, and exited the vehicle to investigate.
The officer noticed the vehicle was smoking from the front hood and liquids were leaking from the vehicle’s undercarriage. At this point the USPP officer watched Kandula exit the driver’s side of the vehicle and go to the back of the U-haul.
“The officer watched as Kandula removed a red and white flag with a Nazi Swastika in the center from a black backpack he was carrying. At this point, the officer ordered Kandula down to the ground and detained and searched him. On his person, a Missouri driver’s license identification was found, bearing the name Sai Varshith Kandula.
No explosive were found in the U-haul and no weapons or ammunition were found on Kandula.
Sai Varshith Kandula was taken into custody by the USPP officer.