Driverless Car Rigged to Ram White House Gate so Man Could Spray Graffiti

ABC News ^ | 6/14/13 | JACK DATE

[Impala64ssa]

An Ohio man who rigged his Jeep Patriot to ram the White House gates has told authorities that he planned to spray paint the "don'' tread on me" snake somewhere on the White House complex or "die trying," according to court documents released today.

Photos of Joseph Reel's wrecked car and the 200 rounds of ammunition, knives, machetes and other items found in his car were released today along with details of Reel's plan to spray graffiti on the White House.

Reel, 32, of Kettering, Ohio, has been charged with destruction of property and is being held in federal custody.

The suspect aimed his car at the White House gates and a security post manned by uniformed Secret Service officers shortly after 3 a.m. Sunday and sent it charging at a speed of 35 to 40 mph, according to court documents.

After the car crashed into a steel bike rack and a security bollard, officers found that the vehicle had no driver. A wooden block was secured to the gas pedal by Velcro and the steering wheel was strapped into place.

The Secret Service deployed the Emergency Response Team and the Counter Sniper Team, as well as the Explosives Ordinance Disposal Team.

Reel, meanwhile set off down 17th Street on a bicycle where he was encountered by a Secret Service officer, the court papers state. The officer asked Reel what he was doing and he replied he was "trying to see what was going on."

Officers told him to move out of the area, but Reel rode his bicycle 25 feet, set it down and proceeded to climb the fence outside the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex, according to affidavits.

[Las Vegas Dave]

Ohio ping.

Special thanks to Pontiac for the ping...

[Frank_2001]

After I posted that, I figured that’s what he told the cops. However, I had this image at first of him riding around with a “Things to Do Today” list on the front seat;)