The US Secret Service, which is responsible for presidential security, issued a statement saying, "Information has been received by law enforcement regarding a potentially suspicious person and vehicle. We are working with our local law enforcement partners to determine the validity of the information provided."
The Hartford Courant said state police were searching for a man who allegedly had made a threat against Obama and was driving a silver Volkswagen Jetta.
Obama was scheduled to be in Rhode Island on Friday night for a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee fundraiser.
No further details were immediately available. REUTERS