Suspect arrested nearly five years after pipe bombs found near DNC and RNC

Investigators released images of a masked suspect shortly after the attack, but for years the case appeared to stall.

(NBC) -Nearly five years after pipe bombs were discovered outside the Democratic and Republican National Committee headquarters on the eve of January 6, 2021, federal officials say they have arrested the man responsible. Investigators released images of a masked suspect shortly after the attack, but for years the case appeared to stall.

U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro underscored the long-awaited development, saying, “Four years, 10 months and 28 days ago, an individual placed a bomb in the vicinity of both the RNC and the DNC, and for that amount of time, that individual evaded accountability.”

Authorities have now charged 30-year-old Brian Cole Jr. of Woodbridge, Virginia, with multiple federal offenses, including transporting an explosive device and attempting malicious destruction. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said the bureau was determined to see the case through: “Folks, you’re not going to walk into our capital city, drop two explosive devices and walk off into the sunset. Not going to happen.”

On Thursday, investigators were seen at Cole’s Woodbridge home, roughly 30 miles outside Washington, where he lived with relatives. Family members declined to comment. Prosecutors say no motive has been established.

According to the FBI, Cole was identified after agents conducted a new review of his credit card and cellphone records and revisited local stores where bomb-making materials were purchased. Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the work behind the arrest: “Let me be clear, there was no new tip, there was no new witness, just good, diligent police work and prosecutorial work, working as a team.”

Bondi also criticized the Biden administration, claiming it failed to prioritize the investigation, adding, “Today’s arrest happened because the Trump administration has made this case a priority.”

Prosecutors say the case involved analyzing millions of pieces of data — even narrowing down the suspect by identifying the brand of tennis shoes he wore and tracking common purchasers of the materials used in the bombs. Pirro described the arrest as a major breakthrough, comparing it to “finding a needle in a haystack.”