A man has been taken into custody after attempting to force entry into the Ohio residence of United States Vice President JD Vance, according to law enforcement officials.
Midnight Disturbance at Vice Presidential Home
The incident occurred around midnight on Monday, 5th January 2026, at the property in the East Walnut Hills area of Cincinnati. Secret Service agents assigned to protect the vice president reported hearing a loud noise. Upon investigation, they discovered an individual who had used a hammer to break a window and was attempting to get inside the house.
Two unnamed law enforcement officials provided these details to the Associated Press. The agents initially detained the suspect at the scene before local police officers arrived to make a formal arrest for causing criminal property damage.
Vandalism and Investigation Details
Further reports indicate the man also vandalised a Secret Service vehicle while approaching the home via the driveway. Footage from local broadcaster WLWT, an affiliate of Sky News' US partner NBC, clearly shows the damage inflicted on one of the property's windows.
Vice President Vance and his family were not present during the break-in attempt. A spokesperson for the Secret Service, Anthony Gugliemi, confirmed the family had spent the previous week in Cincinnati but were not at the property when the incident unfolded.
Taylor Van Kirk, Mr Vance's press secretary, elaborated that the family had departed Ohio on Sunday afternoon and were back in Washington DC. Officers and Secret Service personnel remained at the Cincinnati residence for several hours following the event, conducting a thorough sweep of the premises.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
As of the latest reports, the individual involved has not been formally charged. Anthony Gugliemi stated that further investigations are currently underway to determine the full circumstances and motives behind the intrusion. The case highlights the continuous security operations surrounding high-profile political figures, even when they are absent from their private residences.
The response from both the Secret Service and local Cincinnati police underscores the coordinated protocol for threats to protectees' properties, ensuring a swift and effective resolution to such security breaches.
