A man who is wanted over his alleged role in the January 6 riots has been arrested after being caught outside the Washington DC home of former president Barack Obama with explosives, police said.

Taylor Taranto, 37, was chased by Secret Service agents after he was spotted a few streets away from Mr Obama’s home before fleeing.

He has an open warrant on charges related to the riots at the US Capitol on 6 January 2021, two officials confirmed to the Associated Press.

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‘Capitol riots could happen again’

The anonymous sources added Taranto had made social media threats against a public figure, and that he was found with weapons and materials to make an explosive device – though it had not been built.

No one was injured, and it is not clear if the Obamas were home during the incident.

Police in Washington DC arrested Taranto on charges of being a fugitive from justice.

It is not clear what Taranto’s role in the Capitol riots was, if any, when Donald Trump supporters stormed the building, beat police officers, and caused damage in an effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

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More than 1,000 people have been charged in relation to the incident, with more than 600 pleading guilty, while another 100 have been convicted after a trial.

Some 550 riot defendants have been sentenced, and more than half have been given prison time between six days and 18 years.