The U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) said that they arrested a person who attempted to set his car ablaze near the U.S. Capitol building during President-elect Trump’s visit late Wednesday.

“Twice today our officers stopped a man who could have been a danger to the Capitol Hill community,” U.S. Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger said. “This vigilance is critical during this time of heightened security.”

The agency said that during Trump’s visit with Republican senators and his time paying respect to President Carter, a 35-year-old man from Virginia attempted to set his car on fire.

POLICE ARREST MAN AFTER ATTEMPTING TO CARRY MACHETE, 3 KNIVES INTO US CAPITOL, HOURS BEFORE TRUMP ARRIVES

Police said that just before 5:30 p.m., USCP officers were alerted to a man who had parked on First Street, NW, near the Grant Memorial, and had lit a bag on fire atop his vehicle. 

POLICE ARREST MAN AT US CAPITOL WHO HAD BOTTLES OF FUEL, FLARE GUN, BLOW TORCH

When officers ran over to the man, the bag extinguished on its own. 

The U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. (Reuters/Jason Reed)

Out of an abundance of caution, the USCP said that the vehicle was declared suspicious, and the agency’s Hazardous Incident Response Division cleared the vehicle. 

Officials determined that the car was not a danger at approximately 7 p.m.

The car had been spray-painted. Investigators determined that accelerants were in the bag. The driver was arrested for unlawful activities.

The U.S. Capitol Police stopped a man from entering the Capitol at a security checkpoint, after he was found to allegedly have a machete and three knives in his bag. (U.S. Capitol Police)

Hours prior to this arrest, the USCP detained a man who attempted to carry a machete into the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC). 

The Capitol Police said in a social media post that the incident happened just after 2 p.m., when officers working at a security screening at the CVC’s north doors spotted a machete in the man’s bag.

The X-ray machine was stopped as the bag went through, then police arrested 44-year-old Mel J. Horne, of Washington, D.C., before securing the machete.

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Police said Horne was arrested for multiple counts of carrying a dangerous weapon and will be interviewed by investigators to determine his motive.

Fox News Digital’s Greg Wehner contributed to this report.

As D.C. continues to dig out of Monday’s snow storm, there are many residents who need help clearing their sidewalks, walkways and driveways.

Even a little snow can be problematic for seniors and people with disabilities.

That’s where D.C.’s “Snow Hero” program comes in.

More than 200 volunteers from all walks of life signed up with the D.C. government to lend a hand.

Nigle Brake and his team with the environmental organization Ward 8 Woods are some of them.

“Well, it’s about taking care of your community and giving back when you can,” Brake said.

Brake and his team were called to shovel at one home in Southeast D.C. Wednesday morning, but noticed the neighbors’ sidewalks also needed shoveling.

“We noticed that next door there were two houses, and that house had a veteran sign on it. So we looked at that house, knocked on the door. But then we saw the elevator lift, and saw that the individual is possibly in a wheelchair. So, we took the opportunity to knock on the door,” Brake said.

Hundreds of residents called the city for help clearing their steps and walkways after Monday’s snow storm dumped several inches on the city.

“So far, over a thousand D.C. residents have been matched with volunteers to shovel their driveways and walkways, but we still have hundreds more that need help,” Serve D.C. Director Dominique A. Scott told News4.

“I think it shows the resilience of the community, of people giving back and caring about those in need,” Brake said.

“They’re amazing. We couldn’t do this without them. The engagement of the residents makes all the difference, and when people see that their community members are showing up for them, it warms their heart,” Scott said.

Any D.C. residents who need help shoveling their snow, or who want to volunteer, can call 311.