Suspicious package sent to Robert De Niro in NYC
NEW YORK -- A suspicious package was sent to actor Robert De Niro in New York City, CBS News has learned. Sources say the package is similar to ones that were sent Wednesday to several high-profile Democratic figures and the New York City offices of CNN. Those contained "potentially destructive devices," according to the FBI.
Two officials told The Associated Press that someone working at the building of Robert De Niro's Manhattan office called police after seeing photos of a package bomb that was addressed to former CIA Director John Brennan and sent to CNN's offices. The person, who has a background in law-enforcement, recalled that a similar package was addressed to De Niro.
The NYPD bomb squad responded and examined the device under an X-ray. The package was placed in a bomb disposal truck and driven to an NYPD firing range in the Bronx early Thursday morning, CBS New York reported.
Sources told CBS News the package appeared to be from the same sender who targeted former U.S. presidents and other prominent Democrats earlier this week.
No one was hurt and no buildings in the area — the Tribeca neighborhood of New York City — were evacuated. However, streets in the area were shut down temporarily.
"Thank God there were no injuries," New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday.
Several locations in the Washington, D.C., and New York areas and Florida have received suspicious packages this week. The packages had a bubble wrap interior and were mailed in manila envelopes, according to the FBI.
"The packages were affixed with computer-printed address labels and six Forever stamps," the FBI said Wednesday. "All packages had a return address of "DEBBIE WASSERMAN SHULTZ" [sic] in Florida."
The Secret Service intercepted two of the packages, which were addressed to former President Obama's home in Washington and Bill and Hillary Clinton's residence in Westchester County, New York. Another package was addressed to former CIA Director John Brennan at the New York City offices of CNN, prompting CNN's bureau and the Time Warner Center to evacuate Wednesday.
Crude but functional low-ordnance explosive devices found in at least two of the packages consisted of a pipe, wires and black powder, a law enforcement official told CBS News senior investigative producer Pat Milton.
