Bomb squad detonates pressure cooker found near Capitol

WASHINGTON — A bomb squad has safely detonated some unidentified contents from a "suspicious" vehicle left unattended near the Capitol building and that the driver has been arrested, according to a U.S. Capitol Police spokeswoman.

In an email Lt. Kimberly A. Schneider explained that officers on routine patrol spotted the parked vehicle Sunday afternoon on the west side of 3rd Street between Jefferson Drive and Madison Drive.

Schneider confirmed that the USCP bomb squad safely disrupted the items of concern in the vehicle including a pressure cooker, at about 7:45 pm ET.

"Further investigation revealed a pressure cooker, and an odor of gasoline was detected," Schneider said, adding a Capitol Police bomb squad was called in because the vehicle was deemed "suspicious in nature."

Pressure cookers have been used in the past to make explosive devices, including the April 2013 Boston Marathon attack that left three dead and more than 260 wounded.

Schneider also said a follow-up search of the vehicle found nothing hazardous. Her email said the suspicious vehicle was investigated during a concert in Washington though it was unclear how many people were nearby at the time.

Schneider said that Israel Shimeles, of Alexandria, was the driver of the vehicle and has been located and arrested for "operating after revocation."

Contributing: The Associated Press