WASHINGTON, D.C. — A woman was arrested Saturday morning after telling authorities she was part of the presidential cabinet and tried showing a medallion at an inauguration checkpoint, officials said.
Linda Magovern, 63, approached the checkpoint at Columbus Circle and First Street NE in a vehicle around 8:45 a.m., said she was a cabinet member and displayed “a round metallic object later identified as a Military Police Challenge Coin,” WRC reported.
NEW: Police have arrested woman at US Capitol Inaugural checkpoint for allegedly impersonating a law enforcement officer. Police report says woman displayed a “military challenge coin” and claimed to be part of activities
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) January 17, 2021
The coins are used by military and law enforcement to note achievements.
She put her car in park and turned it off when authorities asked. However, she tried to drive off when an officer asked for her license. Officers ordered her to stop. She was stopped nearby at Union Station.
>> ‘Honest mistake’: Virginia man arrested at DC checkpoint says he forgot about gun in vehicle
Magovern was arrested and charged with impersonating a law enforcement officer, failure to obey and fleeing from police. She was taken to a hospital for evaluation.
A Virginia man was arrested Friday at an inauguration checkpoint after authorities found at least one firearm and ammunition. He claimed he had forgotten the weapon was in his truck and called it “an honest mistake.”
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