In brief: Pressure cooker found in car in D.C.

WASHINGTON – A U.S. Capitol Police spokeswoman said a bomb squad has safely destroyed a pressure cooker found in a “suspicious” vehicle left unattended near the Capitol building and that the vehicle’s owner has been arrested.

Lt. Kimberly A. Schneider told the Associated Press by email that officers on patrol spotted the parked, unoccupied vehicle Sunday on a street on the National Mall west of the Capitol and an odor of gasoline was also detected. She said a bomb squad “disrupted the items of concern in the vehicle including the pressure cooker,” producing a loud bang about 7:45 p.m.

She said the vehicle owner, Israel Shimeles of Alexandria, Virginia, was located, arrested and charged with “operating after revocation” and was being processed at Capitol Police headquarters.

Dozens arrested in Oakland protest

OAKLAND, Calif. – Authorities acting under a new get-tough policy for monitoring street protests arrested or cited dozens of demonstrators for ignoring police orders to end a demonstration in Oakland.

Oakland police said the protesters were detained Saturday night after about 100 demonstrators confronted a line of officers. After a brief standoff, the police ordered the protesters to disband. Dozens of protesters who sat in the middle of the street were detained along with several others who tried to flee.

The Oakland Tribune reported Sunday that police cited a new policy by the city’s mayor to force protesters from the street to the sidewalk after Oakland experienced several violent demonstrations in the past year.