A woman was arrested at a possession checkpoint on Saturday morning for posing as a police officer and fleeing the police, officials said.
Linda Magovern, 63, was arrested near Union Station after saying she was a police officer and “part of the presidential office” and presented a challenge coin from the military police, says a DC police report.
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Magovern approached the opening perimeter at Columbus Circle and First Street NE in a vehicle around 8:45 am, police said.
She was “exhibiting a round metallic object later identified as the Military Police’s Challenge Coin,” says the police report. Medallions are used by police and military personnel to recognize achievements.
The police said Magovern then said she was an officer and a member of the presidential cabinet.
An officer ordered Magovern to park the vehicle and turn it off. She did, but moved on after a police officer asked for her leave.
Police officers repeatedly ordered Magovern to stop the vehicle, but she headed north on Columbus Circle, police said. She was stopped nearby, outside Union Station.
Magovern was arrested and accused of impersonating a policeman, failing to obey and running away from a policeman. It was not immediately clear whether she had a lawyer.
She was taken to a hospital for evaluation.
Security is high in DC ahead of Induction Day on Wednesday, with more than 15,000 current National Guard members in DC on Sunday morning, reports NBC News.
A Virginia man was arrested at a possession checkpoint on Friday after he showed the police a “issued non-governmental” possession credential and police found a gun and hundreds of rounds of ammunition in his truck. He said he got lost and forgot he had the gun.
Stay with NBC Washington for more details on this developing story.