By Paul Duggan
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 28, 2008 4:45 PM

A Baltimore man was arrested today after he scaled the fence at the White House just as President Bush was arriving at the mansion by limousine, authorities said.

Secret Service spokesman Edwin Donovan said Kevin Peterson, 23, who was unarmed, climbed the fence on the south side of the White House shortly after 11:30 a.m. and "was apprehended immediately." The incident coincided with Bush's return from a morning visit to Republican National Committee headquarters on First Street SE.

The president's limousine stopped in front of the Oval Office, but heavily armed Secret Service agents surrounded the vehicle with Bush inside while Peterson was being arrested several hundred feet away. After a few minutes, the president emerged from the limousine and entered the White House, chatting with Chief of Staff Joshua B. Bolten.

Donovan said Peterson's motive for climbing the fence was unclear. He was charged with unlawful entry under D.C. law.