WASHINGTON (1010 WINS) – A Connecticut woman was arrested after she allegedly impersonated a law enforcement officer and fled police at an inauguration checkpoint near the U.S. Capitol in Washington.
Linda MaGovern, of Stratford, was stopped at a checkpoint near the city’s Columbus Circle around 8:45 a.m. Saturday, police said.
She then “presented what was identified as a military challenge coin, and stated that she was a law enforcement officer,” according to Capitol and D.C. Metro police.
She also allegedly claimed she was a presidential cabinet member, according to NBC Washington.
As Capitol Police questioned the 63-year-old and asked for her driver’s license, she drove off, police said. She was stopped again a short distance away near Union Station.
MaGovern was arrested and charged with false impersonation of a law enforcement officer, failure to obey an officer and fleeing a law enforcement officer. She was taken to a hospital for a psychiatric evaluation and then to a D.C. jail.
Her arrest came a day after police said they arrested a man with a handgun and 500 rounds of ammunition at a checkpoint near the Capitol. The man reportedly turned out to be a security contractor.
Washington is under tight security in the days leading up to President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration after the deadly siege at the Capitol Building earlier this month.