Fifth Suspect Arrested in Ongoing Investigation of Piero’s Restaurant Pipe-Bombing
By TheNevadaGlobeStaff, April 17, 2026 12:18 am
LAS VEGAS, NV — The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) has taken a fifth suspect into custody in connection with the November 2025 pipe-bombing of Piero’s Italian Cuisine, a renowned restaurant located just off the Las Vegas Strip on Convention Center Drive.
Detectives arrested 52-year-old Robert Schwieger late Wednesday, April 15. Following his apprehension, Schwieger was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on multiple felony charges, including:
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First-Degree Arson
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Conspiracy to Commit Arson
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Use of an Explosive to Damage or Destroy Property
Schwieger is currently being held on a $250,000 bond.
The Investigation into the November Attack
The case stems from an incident on November 13, 2025, when an improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated at the front door of the restaurant at approximately 2:19 a.m. Surveillance footage captured two individuals—one on foot and one on a scooter—igniting a fuse before fleeing the scene just moments before the blast.
While the explosion caused structural damage to the exterior, no injuries were reported, and the restaurant was able to resume operations later that day. Investigators previously identified the fuse as having been purchased from a fireworks store in Moapa, Nevada.
Fugitives and Legal Delays
Schwieger’s arrest brings the total number of individuals charged in the plot to five, though the legal proceedings have faced recent hurdles:
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Fugitive Status: Two other previously indicted suspects, Sarah Hernandez and Phillip Gonzales, are currently wanted fugitives after failing to appear for recent court hearings.
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Trial Postponed: The trial for the alleged primary suspect, John Navarro, which was originally slated to begin on April 12, has been officially postponed.
The motive behind the targeted attack on the high-profile restaurant remains under investigation by Metro’s “relentless” investigative units.
Source: Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) / Las Vegas Review-Journal
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