The woman who fled her Pennsylvania home around the time of the U.S. Capitol riot has been arrested amid reports that she stole a laptop computer from Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office.
According to CBS News, 22-year-old Riley Williams surrendered to authorities, who had previously issued a warrant for her arrest in connection with the Capitol riot. According to an arrest affidavit, a witness who described themselves as a former romantic partner told federal agents they had seen footage of Williams taking a computer from Pelosi’s office, and that the suspect allegedly intended to sell the computer to Russia.
Authorities have not yet confirmed Williams’ alleged intentions or whether she actually stole a computer, but the affidavit indicates that plans to sell the computer to Russia fell through.
The circumstances of Williams’ surrender are not yet known. The arrest affidavit shows that Williams’ mother told federal agents that her daughter left their Harrisburg home on an unspecified day, carrying a bag and saying she would be back in a couple of weeks. The suspect is reportedly seen multiple times in images and video footage of the Capitol attack, including in a video where a woman fitting Williams’ description is seen hurriedly leaving an area carrying a bag. (The below Twitter post states that Pelosi’s “laptop/hard drive” is in the bag, which is unconfirmed speculation.)
Well, I totally captured Riley June Williams fleeing the #CapitolRiot with Pelosi's laptop/hard drive. Huh. pic.twitter.com/v5a3x4ExhN
— Raven Geary (@dudgedudy) January 18, 2021
According to court documents obtained by CBS News, Williams’s father told Harrisburg Police that he and his daughter had traveled together to Washington D.C. earlier this month to attend protests, but said they were separated on the day of the U.S. Capitol breach.
At this time, Williams is charged with “Knowingly Entering or Remaining in any Restricted Building or Grounds Without Lawful Authority and Violent Entry and Disorderly Conduct on Capitol Grounds.” It is unclear if she is expected to face additional charges.
CrimeOnline will provide further updates when more information is available.
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