RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A man has been taken into custody and faces multiple charges after driving onto Virginia State Capitol grounds and leading police on a foot chase Tuesday afternoon.
Police tell 8News the suspect, identified as John F. Landers II, drove through the main gate at around 3 p.m. and forced an officer to jump out of the way as the car approached the Executive Mansion while speeding.
After coming to a stop in front of the steps to the entrance of the Capitol building, the shirtless suspect then exited the vehicle and fled on foot down the hill towards Bank Street before being apprehended roughly 500 feet away.
Landers, 29, was detained on charges of assault on a law enforcement officer, driving on a revoked license, possession of drug paraphernalia, carrying an open container of alcohol and driving under the influence of drugs.
A K-9 unit inspected the vehicle, which came back clean, according to police.
Police spokesman Joe Macenka said Gov. Ralph Northam and his wife are in Richmond and have been in and out of the Executive Mansion all day.
