The FBI on Thursday arrested a man suspected of planting pipe bombs near the headquarters of the Republican and Democratic National Committees on the eve of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, according to two law enforcement sources.
The arrest concludes a sprawling, multi-year investigation to identify the suspect, who had only been seen in grainy surveillance footage concealed by a hoodie, face mask, and gloves. The extensive manhunt involved the review of tens of thousands of video files, analysis of cell phone data, and tracking sales records for the suspect’s distinctive Nike Air Max sneakers. Despite a $500,000 reward and over a thousand interviews, the investigation was hampered by poor video quality and the suspect’s unremarkable appearance on a cold night when masks were common.
The two devices were placed on January 5, 2021—one outside the DNC and another in an alley behind the RNC, just blocks from the US Capitol. The bombs, which the FBI determined were viable and fully functional, were not discovered until the following afternoon, about 15 hours after being planted. Their discovery diverted police resources away from the Capitol complex just as crowds began to breach security barriers. Then-Vice President-elect Kamala Harris was inside the DNC headquarters when the nearby device was found.
The timing of the incident fueled conspiracy theories that the bombs were part of an “inside job” to distract law enforcement. These theories have gained new prominence as the investigation recently faced renewed scrutiny under Dan Bongino, the FBI’s new deputy director. Before his appointment, Bongino promoted the “inside job” theory on his podcast, suggesting the FBI knew the bomber’s identity.
Since joining the bureau, Bongino has prioritized the case, and while his initial claims of “closing in on some suspects” were reportedly premature, he recently touted that the FBI had increased investigative resources and brought in outside detectives to review the case. This renewed effort produced more promising leads that ultimately culminated in Thursday’s arrest.
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