Iowa man arrested outside White House after rifle, ammo found in car

(Image credit: ABC News/YouTube)

last updated 8 January 2015

The Secret Service didn't even have to tackle anyone this time. R.J. Capheim, a 41-year-old from Davenport, Iowa, was arrested Wednesday evening after Secret Service agents found a .30/30 hunting rifle, 40 rounds of ammunition, and a 6-inch blade in his nearby car. They were tipped off by Capheim himself, who approached a uniformed agent outside the White House and said a man from Iowa had told him to drive to the White House. The strange behavior prompted Secret Service agents to search his car, parked on Constitution Ave., about a block from the White House. Capheim is being charged with possession of an unregistered weapon; more charges are expected. --Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.

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