WASHINGTON – White House security officials on Friday took the president's home and surrounding areas off lock-down status after sending a robot to inspect a package left by a man who scaled a White House fence.
Catalino Diaz, 66, who had no known address, was taken into custody around 11:10 a.m. after jumping over a north-side fence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. He was taken to a District of Columbia police station to be interviewed, and he could face an unlawful entry charge.
Diaz's package only contained "miscellaneous" items that were non-threatening. Police gave the all-clear at 2:29 p.m.
The event also delayed the daily press briefing, because no one could enter or leave either the White House or the building nearby that houses the press conference.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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