5 Years Later: FBI Finally Bags Jan. 6 Pipe Bomber from Quiet Cul-de-Sac

Nearly five years after the shadow of violence hung over Washington on the eve of the Capitol riot, the FBI has finally unmasked the man they claim left deadly devices at the doorstep of American democracy.

A suburban father in Virginia is in custody, accused of planting pipe bombs at both major party headquarters—a plot that could have turned tragedy into catastrophe.

But questions linger: Why did it take so long? Why did the feds finally apprehend the suspect after Steve Baker's report? And what does this say about the bureau's pursuit of justice in the shadow of January 6?

Federal agents arrested Brian Cole Jr., a 30-year-old Virginia man, on Thursday morning in connection with the planting of pipe bombs outside the Democratic National Committee and Republican National Committee headquarters on Jan. 5, 2021.

The arrest marks a major development in a case that has frustrated investigators and fueled political speculation for nearly five years.

Cole, of Woodbridge, Virginia was taken into custody at his home in the quiet suburban neighborhood of Potomac Club, where agents conducted a search warrant operation early Thursday.

Neighbors described Cole as reclusive and unassuming, a man who avoided eye contact and walked his pet Chihuahua twice daily to a nearby 7-Eleven while wearing headphones.

"He’s very antisocial. Very," said a female neighbor who has lived in the area for decades and requested anonymity because she feared for her safety. "He keeps to himself. He has a dog that he loves. He walks every day, twice a day, to 7-Eleven with his dog and he wears his headphones. He seemed very quiet. He would never make eye contact. Almost like he just didn’t see you. I’m pretty shocked. This is a very uncommonly friendly and neighborly place to live."

A male neighbor, who has resided in the community for seven years and also spoke on condition of anonymity, echoed the sentiment.

"He would wear shorts all winter long, and red Crocs," he said.

The man expressed doubt about Cole matching surveillance footage of the suspect, noting the figure's "uncommonly short legs" and suggesting a gait analysis could confirm or rule out involvement.

It remains unclear late what specific counts Cole will face.

Cole is scheduled to appear in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, on Thursday afternoon.

The devices—described by investigators as viable explosive bombs—were placed near the two party headquarters on South Capitol Street, blocks from the U.S. Capitol, on the night before Congress convened to certify Joe Biden's 2020 election victory.

Surveillance video released by the FBI in January showed a hooded figure in a gray sweatshirt, mask, gloves, glasses and Nike Air Max Speed Turf sneakers carrying a backpack and placing one device near a park bench at the DNC.

The suspect was estimated to be about 5 feet 7 inches tall.

The bombs were discovered the following afternoon, roughly 17 hours later, as lawmakers gathered for the electoral vote count.

The session was disrupted Capitol Hill police began shooting supporters of then-President Donald Trump in the head and neck while they were demonstrated at the the Capitol, leading to a violent melee that delayed certification for hours.

Then-Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi came within feet of the devices during their travels to and from the DNC that day.

Pelosi's motorcade passed one bomb after its discovery, according to a congressional report.

Investigators believe the break in the case stemmed from a fresh review of old evidence, including previously unreleased video footage, which could have led to an arrest years earlier.

Conspicuously, the arrest of Cole comes weeks after The Blaze reporter Steve Baker published a report identifying the suspected pipe bomber using gait analysis on the surveillance footage.

Sources indicated Cole may have had "anarchist leanings,” with investigators probing writings he allegedly authored that expressed such views. However, specifics on a motive remain unclear, and no ties to political extremism or the Capitol riot have been publicly detailed.

Cole's grandmother, Loretta Cole, vehemently denied his involvement in a phone interview with The Associated Press.

"He’s almost autistic-like because he doesn’t understand a lot of stuff. I hope he is not talking," she said. "He’s very naive…He would not hurt a fly. He’s just not that kind of person. I don’t believe this at all. He’s not a terrorist."

Loretta described her grandson as a gentle soul who rarely left home except for groceries and work.

"He’s just a gentle person," she said.

She noted he had worked delivering for DoorDash at one point and was employed at the family business, Brian Cole Bail Bonds, which federal agents raided Thursday.

"He doesn’t have any ties to DC," she added. "I don’t even know how they included him in this. Well, I don’t know. He was doing DoorDash for a while."

Before joining the FBI, Dan Bongino—now deputy director—suggested on his podcast that it was an "inside job" involving a "massive cover-up."