Washington: An American national, apparently of Ethiopian origin, was detained on Friday after being found with a suspicious device in a vehicle near Pentagon, following which security around the Defence Department headquarters was tightened and roads to the building closed for some time.
Pentagon police spokesman Chris Layman said the person was taken into custody early on Friday, and that one or two other people may be involved.
The suspected man was found in a cemetery after it was closed. A suspicious device had been found in his car, media reports said.
"The man's backpack contained what officials believe is ammonium nitrate and spent 9mm shells as well as written material that contained statements including: 'al-Qaeda Taliban rules'," ABC news reported, quoting sources.
Pentagon said there was no security breach to its premises as a result of the incident.
"There was no security breach," Pentagon spokesman, Col Dave Lapan said.
"A man was taken into custody by US Park Police in the area of Arlington National Cemetery and a vehicle associated with him is being investigated by law enforcement officials," he said.
The incident occurred outside the Pentagon Reservation.
US Park Police spokesman David Schlosser told reporters that authorities "sent their bomb disposal people there to look at the vehicle."
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