PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland police released a description of the person who they believe set fire to ballot boxes, destroying hundreds of ballots, in Vancouver and Portland early this week. They believe the man may be planning more attacks.
The man is believed to be white, between 30 to 40 years old and is balding or has very short hair. He has a "medium to thin" build with a thin face, Portland police said in a briefing Wednesday afternoon.
Portland police said the man may have metalworking experience based on the "very" detailed welding on the device used to set the fires.
He was driving what is believed to be a black or dark-colored 2001-2004 Volvo S-60 with the Volvo emblem missing and no front license plate. The car has sections that are more matte in finish rather than the standard shine, with a tan or light grey interior. It has dark wheels and unpainted body trim, Portland police said.
The man is connected to three ballot box fires in the Portland area. Roughly 500 ballots were damaged or destroyed in a ballot box fire in Vancouver early Monday morning, and another ballot box fire in Portland destroyed three ballots. Law enforcement officials believe those two incidents — and a similar Vancouver incident three week ago — are all linked.
The damage in the Portland box was limited because a built-in fire suppression device activated very quickly. These devices are inside every drop box in Multnomah County, Multnomah County elections director Tim Scott said.
Clark County drop boxes also contain fire suppression devices, including the one that was set on fire. It's unclear why the device in the Vancouver box didn't work as intended.
Leading up the attacks, Portland Police Bureau's Chief Bob Day said there's been increasing awareness among law enforcement that something like this may happen.
“None of it is a surprise,” said Day. “Look at the fire suppressant that is in the boxes.”
He added that "It didn’t come as a surprise but more as a disappointment.”
Currently, law enforcement does not believe that there is more than one person involved in the ballot box fires.
Investigators found pro-Palestinian messages, saying "Free Gaza" and "Free Palestine" on the devices used to burn ballot boxes in Portland and Vancouver, the New York Times reported Tuesday. The Times did not identify their source, saying that two law enforcement officials confirmed the discoveries.
In Wednesday's news briefing, law enforcement said the incendiary devices have been sent to forensics for any "unique marking," but were not able to confirm any messaging written.
Anyone with information about the suspect or suspect vehicle is asked to contact Detective Meredith Hopper at Meredith.Hopper@police.portlandoregon.gov or call the PF&R Fire Investigation Unit’s tip line, 503-823- FIRE (3473). Please reference case number 24-276181
Crime Stoppers of Oregon is offering cash rewards up to $2,500 cash for information, reported to Crime Stoppers, that leads to an arrest in any unsolved felony crime and tipsters remain anonymous. Information can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Oregon by visiting http://www.crimestoppersoforegon.com.
