An arrest has been made in the US mail bomb scare investigation. Authorities say fingerprint and DNA evidence led them to a man in Florida with ties to New York. Over a dozen explosive devices were sent to critics of President Donald Trump - including: two former presidents, high-profile Democrats, a celebrity and a news organization. Reports say the suspect is an ardent Trump supporter. CGTN's Nitza Soledad Perez has more from Miami.  

The suspect responsible for allegedly mailing more than a dozen bombs was captured Friday morning in the state of Florida. Many of the devices were sent to well-known figures associated with the Democratic Party, including two former presidents, a former vice president, a former secretary of state, a current member of Congress and other prominent supporters.

Cesar Sayoc was arrested at an auto parts store. The head of the FBI said the agency used a fingerprint to help identify the suspect.

CHRIS WRAY FBI DIRECTOR "They uncovered a latent fingerprint from one of the envelopes containing an IED that had been sent to Congresswoman Maxine Waters. We have confirmed this fingerprint is that of Cesar Sayoc. There is also a possible DNA connection between samples collected from pieces of two different IEDs mailed in separate envelopes and a sample previously collected from Sayoc in connection with an earlier arrest down in Florida."

The 56-year-old Sayoc has a lengthy criminal record dating back decades and includes a previous arrest for making a bomb threat. He lived in a suburb near Miami. Sayoc was born in New York. He's the son of a Filipino immigrant, according to local news reports.

Sayoc faces five federal charges including transportation of explosives and threats against former presidents. If convicted, he could be sentenced to 48 years in prison.

Authorities stressed the packages were a real threat.

CHRIS WRAY FBI DIRECTOR "Each device consisted of roughly six inches of PVC pipe, a small clock, a battery, some wiring, and what is known as energetic material which is essentially potential explosives and material that give off heat and energy through a reaction to heat, shock or friction. Though we're still analyzing the devices in our laboratory, these are not hoax devices."

Video has emerged showing Sayoc, at a President Donald Trump rally in February last year. His white van, seized after his apprehension, was plastered with pro-Trump political stickers.

In his first remarks since Sayoc was apprehended, Trump made a call for unity. 

DONALD TRUMP US PRESIDENT "But the bottom line is that Americans must unify and we must show the world that we are united together in peace and love and harmony as fellow American citizens. We must never allow political violence to take root in America."

The Department of Justice gave no indication if there are other potential suspects. It's all part of an ongoing investigation.

NITZA SOLEDAD PEREZ MIAMI "The twitter account of Cesar Sayoc reveals an individual obsessed with the Democratic Party, especially with Andrew Gillum, Florida's Democratic nominee for governor. Over the last five days, Sayoc reportedly tweeted 22 images of this politician, calling him a socialist and a failed mayor. For now, Sayoc will remain in detention at this federal prison here in Florida. NITZA SOLEDAD PEREZ, CGTN Miami."