U.S. Secret Service agents apprehended a man in the early hours of Monday morning after he allegedly broke windows and caused property damage at the Ohio residence of Vice President JD Vance.
Incident at the Vice President's Residence
According to a statement from agency spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi, the individual was detained shortly after midnight by agents assigned to protect the home, which is located east of downtown Cincinnati in the Walnut Hills neighborhood. The suspect has not been publicly named.
Law enforcement officials, speaking anonymously as they were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation, provided further details. They stated that Secret Service personnel heard a loud noise at the home around midnight. Upon investigating, they found a person who had used a hammer to break a window and was attempting to gain entry.
Property Damage and Investigation
The man had also vandalized a Secret Service vehicle while approaching the house via the driveway, according to one official. Fortunately, the historic home, situated on hills overlooking the city, was unoccupied. Guglielmi confirmed that Vance and his family were not in Ohio at the time and had already returned to Washington, D.C.
The Secret Service is now coordinating with the Cincinnati Police Department and the U.S. attorney's office as they review potential charges against the detained individual.
Context and Aftermath
JD Vance, a Republican, was serving as a U.S. senator for Ohio before being elected Vice President. His office has directed all inquiries regarding the security incident to the Secret Service.
The Walnut Hills area, one of Cincinnati's oldest neighborhoods, is known for its historic sites, including the Harriet Beecher Stowe House. The incident has drawn significant attention to the security protocols surrounding the homes of high-ranking government officials.
