U.S. Capitol Police Identify Man in 'Suspicious' Vehicle Outside Supreme Court as Dale Paul Melvin

The U.S. Capitol Police issued a statement on Tuesday that they were investigating a 'suspicious vehicle' parked outside the U.S. Supreme Court on a day that the nine justices are set to hear arguments.

"We are investigating a suspicious vehicle in front of the Supreme Court along First Street, NE," Capitol Police said in a statement on Twitter. "Please stay away from the area. We will provide more information as soon as we can."

In a tweet at approximately 11 a.m., the Capitol Police said they were able to remove the driver from his SUV, confirming that, "the man is in custody. Everyone is safe."

The man was identified as Dale Paul Melvin, 55, of Kimball, Michigan, a town roughly 56 miles northeast of Detroit.

NBC 4 Washington reported that law enforcement set off a controlled explosion that filled Melvin's SUV with smoke. He soon emerged from his vehicle, and Capitol Police made the arrest. Police did not give any possible motive for Melvin to park his car in front of the court and then refuse to respond to police.

Monday marked the first day that the justices heard in-person cases in 19 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the arguments the justices were set to hear were cases on issues including abortion and gun control.

As a result of today's incident, Capitol police closed off three intersections during the investigation. These include First Street between Independence Avenue, SE and Constitution Avenue, NE; Second Street between East Capitol Street and Constitution Avenue, NE and East Capitol Street between First and Second Streets, NE.

In August, police were also forced to block off roads near the court and Capitol building after a 49-year-old North Carolina man parked his pickup truck near the U.S. Capitol and told authorities he was carrying a bomb. A standoff ensued for hours before the man peacefully surrendered.

Last month, Capitol Police responded to another security threat when a man carrying a bayonet and machete in his truck, which bore white supremacist symbols, was seen near the Democratic National Committee headquarters.

Following the January 6 Capitol Insurrection, a number of security precautions have been taken in Washington. The Capitol Police have instituted new training procedures, enhanced security measures, and purchased new technology and equipment.

"Those are just some of the improvements the United States Capitol Police is making, with the support of our Congressional stakeholders, in the wake of the January 6 attack," the Capitol Police wrote in a statement. "We honor all the brave men and women who, against all odds, faced down a violent crowd that day and protected our elected leaders and everyone who was in the Capitol Complex. We will never forget their bravery and will continue to work in their honor."