Oceanside Man’s Grandmother Arrested Near DNC Headquarters Grandson Says ‘Always In A Riot’ – NBC 7 San Diego

[ad_1]

The grandmother of an Oceanside man was arrested near the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, DC, with a bayonet and a machete who described her grandson as “always in trouble,” and “heading in the wrong direction his whole life. “

U.S. Capitol Police arrested 44-year-old Donald Craighead Monday morning. They said officers saw a pickup truck with a swastika and other white supremacist symbols. When they approached, Craighead spoke about white supremacist ideology and other rhetoric associated with white supremacy, police said in a statement.

According to court records, Craighead has criminal cases in San Diego County, mostly East County, that began in 2015. They include senseless reckless evasion of a peace officer and theft in a second criminal degree. His criminal record dates back to 1995 in Missoula, Montana, where he faced charges of fraud and theft, possession of criminal dangerous drugs, and a number of bad review writing.

Capitol Police officers spotted a pickup truck with a swastika and other white supremacist symbols outside the DNC office and began talking to the driver and found out his white supremacist ideology, ”RBC Devine’s report NBC 7

He said his family tried to help by buying him trucks and tools to get his job as a handyman up and running, but it didn’t happen.

His father tried to help him many times, he tried to help him. Those who help themselves need help. He’s not helping himself, ”she said.

Donald Craighead’s arrest came less than a week before a planned rally at the Capitol to support those arrested during the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

Police are still investigating the incident and have not said why Craighead was in Washington DC, or if he was planning any kind of riot.

“It’s embarrassing,” Joanne Craighead said. “He has mental problems. He needs to be tested mentally.”

Her grandmother described her association with white supremacy as rebellious and said she had no friends or group affiliations.

The Oceanside Police Department said Donald Craighead was homeless and lived in a number of San Diego communities. The address identified by Capitol Police is a post office in Oceanside. The OPD said he has or has had a PO box in the office.

Photos from the department show a large knife on a lid, swastikas painted on the truck and an American flag where the license plate should be on the back.

A special operations division officer was patrolling around midnight when he saw the Dodge Dakota truck. He noticed the plaque was missing.

The officer pulled the truck into the 500 block of South Capitol Street SW. Officers found the bayonet and machete, which are illegal in DC, inside the truck.

Craighead allegedly told officers he was patrolling and spoke about white supremacy, police said.

It’s great police work that’s simple and straightforward, Chief Tom Manger said in the department’s statement. We commend the officers for the diligent observation and the teamwork that resulted in this arrest.

An investigation is ongoing.

At this time, it is unclear if he plans to attend any upcoming demonstrations or if he has any connection to any previous cases in the area, police said.

[ad_2]