Suspect's van -- plastered with Trump, Pence stickers -- a focus of bomb investigation

Authorities towed away a white van Friday after the arrest of Cesar Sayoc in Plantation, Florida, in connection with a series of suspicious explosive packages that were sent to top Democrats, critics of President Donald Trump and CNN.

Posted 6:44 p.m. Oct 26, 2018 — Updated 10:19 p.m. Oct 26, 2018

Dakin Andone

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Gisela Crespo, CNN

(CNN) — Authorities towed away a white van Friday after the arrest of Cesar Sayoc in Plantation, Florida, in connection with a series of suspicious explosive packages that were sent to top Democrats, critics of President Donald Trump and CNN.

The van's windows were covered in stickers that appeared to be political in nature, with images of Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and others.

One sticker that read "CNN Sucks" was also plastered on one of the windows, echoing a chant that sometimes breaks out at Trump rallies.

There were also pictures of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, CNN's Van Jones, filmmaker Michael Moore and Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein with red targets or crosshairs over their images. An edited image that appeared to be former President Barack Obama riding a tricycle also had a target on it.

Another window had images professing more support for Trump that read, "My President." One graphic read, "We vote pro-life."

According to a law enforcement official, Sayoc was living in the van after having been kicked out of his parents' home.

The van was so conspicuous that some passersby had noticed the van even before Sayoc was announced as a suspect in connection to this week's pipe bombs.

It caught the eye of Michael Hebert, who filmed footage of what appeared to be the van outside an LA Fitness gym in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on July 18.

Hebert, who goes to the gym, said he'd seen Sayoc there a number of times and had seen the van parked outside.

It stood out to him because of the "political tone," Hebert told CNN, "which is wild regardless of your (political) views."

"It's just too much political stuff," Hebert said, adding it seemed "a little bit extreme."

A law enforcement official told CNN the van was headed to Miramar, Florida, where an FBI field office is located. Authorities covered the van in a blue tarp before hauling it away.

Sayoc is a registered Republican, according to Florida Department of State spokeswoman Sarah Revell, who cited the state's Division of Elections records. He voted in both the presidential primary and general election in 2016, and in this year's primary election.

A number of packages containing what looked to be pipe bombs were sent this week to Obama, former Vice President Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton and Democratic US Rep. Maxine Waters of California.

Democratic donor George Soros and actor Robert De Niro, who also has been a vocal Trump critic, were sent packages as well.

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