The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has increased their maximum reward from $50,000 to $75,000 for information regarding pipe bombs placed in Washington, D.C. on the day of the Capitol Building riots.
The pipe bombs were found at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and Republican National Committee (RNC) headquarters, respectively. Both are located blocks away from the Capitol, which was breached Jan. 6 by rioters supporting then-President Donald Trump.
The FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are offering the reward of up to $75,000 for information “leading to the location, arrest, and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the placement of suspected pipe bombs.” (RELATED: Man Allegedly Seen Beating Police Officer With Hockey Stick During Capitol Riot Charged With Several Felonies)
ADDITIONAL REWARD: @ATFWashington & #FBIWFO are now offering a reward of up to $75K for info about the person(s) responsible for the placement of suspected pipe bombs in DC on January 6th. Call 1800CALLFBI with info or submit to https://t.co/NNj84wkNJP. pic.twitter.com/f77EHkVNND
— FBI Washington Field (@FBIWFO) January 21, 2021
The FBI has released photos of the suspect believed to have been responsible for placing the pipe bombs. The individual is wearing a light-colored hoodie with a face mask obscuring their face. The person has gloves and athletic shoes on and is carrying what appears to be a backpack.
A law enforcement official told CBS News that the explosives found at the two locations were viable, although it was unclear how much damage they could have done. The official added that finding the suspect is a top priority for the FBI and that all of the agency’s 56 field offices are involved in the investigation.
The explosive device found at the RNC was detonated intentionally by a bomb squad, according to the New York Times.
The FBI has already arrested more than 145 people in connection with the Capitol Building riot, and has opened more than 170 subject files with expectations that the number of charges would grow into the hundreds.