Arizona man accused of social media threats to Trump is arrested

Police have captured an Arizona man who allegedly threatened to kill Donald Trump following a manhunt that unfolded as the former president was visiting the border state.

Police say Ronald Lee Syvrud, 66, of Cochise County, made death threats against Trump in social media posts over the past fortnight.

Trump was in Cochise County on Thursday visiting the US frontier with Mexico.

Last month Trump was grazed by a bullet in an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office says Syrvud is also wanted for failing to register as a sex offender.

He faces several warrants in both Wisconsin and Arizona, including on charges of driving under the influence and a felony hit and run.

Police say he is from Benson, Arizona, which is located about 50 miles (80km) south-east of Tucson.

The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office posted on Thursday afternoon that they had caught the suspect within the county lines.

“This subject has been taken into custody without incident,” the office posted.

Trump spent Thursday in Cochise County, visiting the US-Mexico border.

During his remarks, he sought to blame his rival, Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, for allowing illegal immigrants into the US.

Reporters asked him if he was aware of the search for the Cochise County suspect.

“No, I have not heard that, but I am not that surprised and the reason is because I want to do things that are very bad for the bad guys,” Trump said.

This isn’t the first threat against a presidential candidate this election cycle.

Earlier this month, a 66-year-old Virginia man was arrested on suspicion of making death threats against Vice-President Harris, among other public officials.