“The arrest marks the first time investigators have settled on a suspect in an act that had long vexed law enforcement, spawned a multitude of conspiracy theories and remained an enduring mystery in the shadow of the dark chapter of American history that is the violent Capitol siege.”

“The FBI analyzed his credit card and cellphone records.”

“The agency says he bought bomb-making materials at stores in Northern Virginia including Home Depot, Lowe’s, Micro Center and Walmart.”

“Investigators say they tracked his 2017 Nissan Sentra on a license plate reader in D.C. the night of Jan. 5 about a half-mile from where the bombs were placed.”

“An investigation into the suspect’s motive is ongoing, Bondi said.”

“The pipe bombs were placed on the evening of Jan. 5, 2021, near the offices of the Democratic and Republican national committees.”

“Nobody was hurt before the bombs were rendered safe, but the FBI has said both devices could have been lethal.”

“In the years since, investigators have sought the public’s help in identifying a shadowy subject seen on surveillance camera even as they struggled to determine answers to basic questions, including the person’s gender and motive and whether the act had a clear connection to the riot at the Capitol a day later, when supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the building in a bid to halt the certification of the Republican's 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden.”

“Seeking a breakthrough, the FBI publicized additional information about the investigation, including previously unreleased video of the suspect placing one of the bombs.”

“Video showed the suspect spending close to an hour moving through the surrounding blocks on Capitol Hill, pausing on a park bench, cutting through an alley and stopping again as a dog walker passed.”

“A team of investigators pored over videos of the suspect and analyzed the person's gait and distinctive shoes.”

“The FBI said in October that the suspect stands about 5-foot-7 and was wearing black, gray and yellow Nike Air Max Speed Turf sneakers.”

“Fewer than 25,000 of the shoes were sold in about a two-year period, they learned.”

“Agents paired their video review with a broad sweep of digital records.”

“They gathered cell tower data showing which phones were active in the neighborhood at the time and issued subpoenas to several tech companies, including Google, for location information.”

“Investigators also analyzed credit card transactions from hobby shops and major retailers to identify customers who had purchased components resembling those used in the two explosive devices — each roughly 1 foot long and packed with gunpowder and metal, according to two law enforcement officials familiar with the investigation.”

“Agents filed subpoenas for credit card records from Foot Locker and other chains as they worked to narrow down potential buyers of the shoes.”

“In 2023, the FBI raised the reward for providing information that led to an arrest from $100,000 to $500,000.”