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Graphic shows people targeted by suspected pipe bomb attacks.
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TERRORISM

Massive manhunt for serial mail bomber

By Jordi Bou

October 25, 2018 - Suspicious packages addressed to actor Robert De Niro and former Vice President Joe Biden were intercepted Thursday, and investigators said they were similar to crude pipe bombs sent to former President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and CNN.

None of the devices exploded and no one was injured, but the packages, sent to prominent Democrats critical of President Donald Trump, underscored the heightened political tensions and fears two weeks before national midterm elections.

Police said the package recovered in Manhattan addressed to De Niro, who dropped an expletive insult at Trump at this year’s Tony Awards, was similar to the other pipe bombs recovered this week. De Niro had also apologized to Canadians for the “idiotic behavior of my president.”

Biden has also criticized Trump, as recently as last week, saying Trump may not “know what he’s doing” and coddles dictators.

A law enforcement source said the package addressed to Biden was intercepted at a Delaware mail facility and was similar to the others. The official wasn’t authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Suspicious packages have been seized in New York, Washington, D.C., Florida and California.

The bombs seized Wednesday, each with a small battery, were about six inches long and packed with powder and broken glass, said a law enforcement official who viewed X-ray images and spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation.

The official said the devices were made from PVC pipe and covered with black tape.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 25/10/2018; STORY: Graphic News; PICTURES: Associated Press
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