A sprawling investigation unfolded Wednesday as authorities scrambled to respond to a series of suspicious packages. Two packages were addressed to the homes of two former presidents and another 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, reports CBS News .

"Responding officers identified a device that appeared to be an explosive device and they removed it for investigation," NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill said at a press conference outside CNN's offices, reports the New York Post . "Additionally there was an envelope of white powder that was part of that packaging."

The powder was being tested on site, while the device was removed to the NYPD's firing range in the Bronx and was then to be taken to the FBI's lab, officials added.

The Secret Service said Wednesday morning it had intercepted the packages addressed to former President Obama's home in Washington and Bill and Hillary Clinton's residence in Westchester County, NY, reports CBS News .

Another package was originally addressed to former Attorney General Eric Holder, but was sent to the wrong address and returned to the office of former DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

One of several suspicous packages sent with a return address of "Debbie Wasserman Shultz." (Photo: FBI)

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.

John Miller, NYPD's chief of counterterrorism, said during a news conference Wednesday that the device sent to CNN's offices in New York appeared to be sent by the same individual who mailed devices to the homes of billionaire financier and liberal activist George Soros, Hillary Clinton, and former President Obama.

Miller and FBI officials said the devices all appeared to be crude pipe bombs. Miller said it began on Monday night with the device sent to Soros and that they're looking at the devices as a pattern.