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Ballot box fires: What we know about the suspect



CNN
—

With Election Day just days away, investigators in Oregon have shared new details about a man they believe is responsible for three recent ballot box fires that damaged hundreds of ballots — and warn that he could continue his attacks.

Investigators have not identified the suspect, Portland Police Chief Bob Day said Wednesday, but police have released a physical description and other information. Police did not disclose the source of the description.

“As far as predicting future behavior goes, that’s speculation,” the chief said. “That’s exactly what we have to expect. It would be really naive or unfair of us to say, 'Hey, it's all sorted out,' and we don't have him in custody.”

Here's what authorities said about the wanted person:

  • The suspect is described as a white man between 30 and 40 years old who is bald or has very short hair, said Mike Benner, spokesman for the Portland Police Bureau.
  • According to Benner, the man was medium to thin in build.
  • The welding work on the incendiary devices found on or near the mailboxes was “very detailed,” Chief Day said, adding, “This individual obviously has some skills in that area.”
  • Police have also said they are looking for a black or dark-colored 2001-2004 Volvo S-60 in connection with the fires.
  • Crime Stoppers of Oregon is offering $2,500 for information leading to an arrest, according to a police news release sent Wednesday afternoon.

Day told reporters to “expect” the suspect to attack again and security has been beefed up at the approximately 30 ballot drop boxes in Portland.

Three ballot boxes have been set on fire in the area in the past three weeks. An “incendiary device” attached to the side of a ballot box in Portland damaged ballots early Monday, but most were undamaged because a fire extinguisher was installed in the ballot box. On the same day, another fire was set at a ballot box in Vancouver, Washington.

Officials have identified 488 damaged ballots recovered from the burned ballot box in Vancouver, just across the Columbia River from Portland, and 345 of those voters have already requested new ballots, according to election officials.

Election staff will mail another 143 replacement ballots to voters on Thursday, officials said on X. Workers were unable to identify six of the damaged ballots. Other ballots could be completely burned to ash and therefore unidentifiable, Clark County officials said in a news release Wednesday.

Investigators have also linked the two most recent incidents to a third ballot box fire on Oct. 8, also in Vancouver.

As Election Day approaches, state leaders are encouraging citizens to vote despite the incidents and promising increased security around mailboxes.

“There are multiple ways for voters to cast their ballot and ensure their voice is heard,” said Washington Governor Jay Inslee.

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