Suspect in Washington pipe bomb case arrested by authorities 5 years later. Here's what you need to know.

WASHINGTON Authorities have taken a suspect into custody five years after two pipe bombs were discovered outside the national headquarters of the Republican and Democratic parties in Washington. Brian J. Cole Jr., 30, from Woodbridge, Virginia, was arrested on charges related to explosives.

The FBI and Justice Department have not provided details on what specifically led to Coles arrest. Officials stated the breakthrough came from renewed investigative efforts and a fresh review of previously gathered evidence. Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized that the case progressed through persistent investigative and prosecutorial work rather than a new tip or witness.

Investigators had previously sought public assistance in identifying an individual captured on surveillance video the evening before the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. Basic details such as the suspects gender and motive had long remained unknown, as well as whether the bomb placement was directly connected to the events at the Capitol.

Tracking the Suspect

According to court documents, law enforcement used financial records, cellphone tower data, and license plate readers to link Cole to the explosives. Bank and credit card transactions revealed purchases of materials consistent with bomb construction, including galvanized pipes and kitchen timers, both before and after the bombs were placed.

The two devices were about one foot long, containing gunpowder and metal, according to law enforcement sources. Surveillance footage captured a person in a light sweatshirt, dark pants, sneakers, and a backpack; gait analysis suggested a male, though the face was obscured.

Investigators also examined the suspects footwear, believed to be Nike Air Max Speed Turfs, and traced purchases through major retailers to narrow potential suspects.

Motive and Background

Authorities have not disclosed why Cole allegedly targeted the party headquarters or whether the act was connected to the Capitol riot. Cole lived with his family in a quiet Virginia neighborhood roughly 30 miles south of the Capitol. He has no prior criminal record and was not registered to vote.

Described by a former classmate as well-behaved and quiet, Cole worked in his fathers bail bonds office. His mother is a realtor. He is one of four children, and his parents divorced just a few months before the alleged bomb placements.

Author: Lucas Grant