Two suspected pipe bombs were discovered near the U.S. Capitol on the night before the Jan. 6 siege, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said. 

According to Crime Online, the FBI is still searching for the person who left the pipe bombs at the Capitol building in Washington, D.C.

Investigators said that based on analysis of the video recorded by surveillance cameras near the Capitol, the pipe bombs were planted between 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 5.

The bombs were found on Jan. 6, when Congress was preparing to certify the Electoral College votes, for now, President Joe Biden, reported NBC News.

They were found on 1 p.m. of that day, disabled, and turned over to the FBI crime lab for analysis, Capitol police said in a statement.

FBI Says Pipe Bombs Placed in Democratic, Republican Headquarters

The FBI said the pipe bombs were placed outside the Democratic and Republican headquarters in Washington, just a few blocks apart on Capitol Hill.

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Surveillance footages captured the suspect carrying a bag and wearing a hooded sweatshirt when he allegedly planted the explosive devices. He then retraced his steps, but authorities don't know why he did so, said a report from The Washington Post.

PIPE BOMBS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
(Photo : FBI)

Some surveillance footage clips were obtained independently by the Post and were posted on their website. Aside from the bag and hoodie, it also showed that the suspect wore a face mask and Nike Air Max Speed Turf shoes in yellow, black, and gray. 

Investigators said both of the recovered pipe bombs appeared to be fully functional, made out of metal pipes with a common windup timer.

Although the pipe bombs did not go off before the riot, they were discovered about an hour and a half before the siege, which pulled many police officers away from their normal posts. 

FBI Raises Reward for Suspect on Pipe Bombs to $100,000

The FBI initially offered a reward worth $50,000 to people who can provide information about the incident and the suspect behind it, reported NPR.

Hoping to get more public help to identify the suspect, the FBI raised the reward money to $100,000 for someone who can help crack the case.

After law enforcement found the two pipe bombs, they also came across a firearm in a red pickup truck while sweeping the area for additional explosives. The truck was registered in Alabama to a Lonnie L. Coffman, a Department of Justice statement said.

Capitol Police Bomb Squad members said they found the following inside the vehicle: a handgun, an M4 Carbine assault rifle with loaded magazines, and components for 11 "Molotov Cocktails," specifically mason jars filled with flammable liquids, rags, and lighters.

The next day, Loonie Leroy Coffman, 70, was arrested in Falkville, Alabama. He was charged for carrying a pistol without a license and unlawful possession of a destructive device.

The Associated Press first reported about the pipe bombs at the Capitol. The report noted that the insurrection "shifted public attention away" from the threat of the pipe bombs. 

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At the time, it was a primary concern of law enforcement for Biden's inauguration. The threat is also substantial considering that it was found in Washington, where government buildings are usually open to the public and tourists.