MI Man Arrested In Front Of Supreme Court Returns To Same Spot

WASHINGTON, DC — A Michigan man who caused U.S. Capitol Police to lock down areas around the Capitol returned to the area Thursday morning and parked his SUV in front of the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Capitol Police said its officers talked to the man around 9 a.m., identified as Dale Paul Melvin, 58, of Kimball, Michigan.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we have closed First Street between Constitution Avenue, NE and Independence Avenue, SW, as well as East Capitol Street between First Street and Second Street,” the Capitol Police said.

After Melvin’s car was spotted in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, the Capitol Police closed off the area as a safety precaution.

“Our officers and agents are focused on our critical mission,” USCP Chief Tom Manger said in a statement. “I applaud them for their keen observation and for not taking any chances when it comes to safety and security.”

After some discussion, Melvin agreed to leave the area. He was not arrested, according to the Capitol Police.

On Oct. 5, Capitol Police arrested Melvin after he illegally parked in front of the Supreme Court and refused leave. He was charged with failure to obey and assault on a police officer, according to the Capitol Police. That case is still pending with the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

Melvin appeared to be frustrated in the October incident, refusing to talk to our officers, and saying, “The time for talking is done.”

Police officers threw a flashbang at Melvin's SUV on Oct. 5 before he was taken into custody. The Capitol Police sent a message to Congressional staff alerting them to the controlled explosion before it happened.

Prior to the October incident, Melvin had traveled to the U.S. Capitol Complex and made concerning statements, police said.

The incidents with Melvin follow a series of threats to the Capitol complex. Last September, Capitol Police arrested a man carrying a bayonet and machete in a truck with white supremacist symbols near the Democratic National Committee headquarters near the Capitol.

In August, a 49-year-old North Carolina man, who claimed to be carrying a bomb in a pickup truck parked near the U.S. Capitol, surrendered to police after an hours-long standoff that prompted an evacuation of parts of the government complex.