WASHINGTON — Federal authorities arrested a Virginia man Thursday morning who they say was involved in planting pipe bombs outside the Democratic and Republican national committee offices on the eve of the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot, according to numerous media reports.
The man’s identity has not yet been released, according to reports by The Associated Press and The Wall Street Journal that cited law enforcement officials.
The arrest marked a potential breakthrough in the five-year-old case.
The Department of Justice did not immediately respond to States Newsroom’s request for comment.
According to the FBI, the suspect placed pipe bombs near the offices of the Democratic and Republican national committees between 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Eastern on Jan. 5, 2021.
Authorities had publicized several video clips of a masked individual in a gray hooded sweatshirt carrying a backpack to transport the pipe bombs. The FBI offered a $500,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
The suspect is expected in court Thursday, according to Politico.