RICHMOND, Va. -- A man was taken into custody following a bizarre situation outside the Virginia State Capitol Tuesday afternoon.
John F. Landers II, 29, of the 5800 block of Lee Avenue in Henrico County, drove his car into Capitol Square in downtown Richmond near the George Washington statue at about 3 p.m, according to Capitol Police.
Landers, alone in a 2001 gray Honda Accord, sped past the security guard and drove toward the Governor's Mansion, past the manned Capitol Police guardhouse on North Drive, and ignored an officer's directions to stop. He then traveled around the side of the Capitol and drove toward the South Portico where he parked in front of the Capitol steps.
He got out of the car and ran down the steps in the direction of Bank Street.
Capitol Police quickly took the driver into custody on the sidewalk near the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals building. No one was injured.
Multiple witnesses tell Jake Burns that the male suspect did not have on a shirt or shoes on when he was taken into police custody.
Capitol police said charges are pending against Landers, but the exact nature of the charges are still to be determined.
“At this point, we are attempting to interview the gentleman,” said Capitol Police spokesman Joe Macenka.
K9 units brought in to help investigate the situation found no traces of drugs, nor explosives on the car.
This is a developing story. Witnesses can send news tips, photos, and video here.
