The FBI also is seeking the public’s help to identify the vehicle used in the arson attacks.
“The investigation into last month’s ballot box attacks is the top priority in the FBI’s Seattle and Portland field offices and our associated U.S. Attorney’s offices,” Greg Austin, acting special agent in charge of the FBI Seattle field office, said during a press conference Wednesday afternoon.
The agency is searching for an early 2003 or 2004 Volvo S60 sedan that is dark in color. The car has dark wheels and a light interior, and is missing the Volvo emblem on the front.
Austin said he couldn’t provide details into the investigation but stressed no detail is too small and no tip too minor.
“If it relates to a Volvo matching our description, we want to hear about it,” Austin said.
Although the temporary license plate on the rear of the Volvo turned out to be fake, Austin said that doesn’t necessarily mean the car was stolen. It could still be in use by the suspect.
“We haven’t made a determination about the ownership of the vehicle. I think what we want the public to know is that the Volvo’s license plate may change over time … It may have had a real license plate at other times,” Austin said. “We don’t have any information at this time to suggest the subject poses an ongoing danger to the public.”
Portland Police Bureau spokesman Mike Benner said earlier that detectives believe the suspect is a white man between the ages of 30 and 40 years old. He is balding or has very short hair, a medium to slim build and a thin face. He may be knowledgeable about welding.
“We would emphasize that the subject may have experience – and that could be at a beginner level, an intermediate level or an expert level – in welding and metal working,” Austin said.
Portland police were called to the 1000 block of Southeast Morrison Street for reports of a fire in a ballot box around 3:30 a.m. A fire prevention system activated in that box and only three ballots were damaged.
Austin wouldn’t comment on whether messages were left on the incendiary devices as reported by the New York Times, which said the devices found at the ballot boxes in Vancouver and Portland were both marked with the words “Free Gaza.” A message reading “Free Palestine” was written on a suspicious device found Oct. 8 near a ballot box in downtown Vancouver.
The New York Times attributed the information to “law enforcement officials.”
While the Seattle office is leading the investigation, William Brooks, acting special agent in charge of the Portland office, said the FBI is coordinating with law enforcement in Washington and Oregon, and bomb technicians from the Portland field office.
“Voters in both Oregon and Washington deserve answers in this case. Their votes and their voices matter, and we can’t allow one person’s violent actions to infringe on their rights,” Brooks said.
Tips can be reported to the FBI anonymously online at tips.fbi.gov or by calling 1-800-225-532 (CALL-FBI), or call the Seattle or Portland field offices directly.
Portland police released a surveillance photo of a suspect in arsons directed at Portland and Vancouver ballot drop boxes. (Portland Police Bureau)
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The ballot drop box at Fisher's Landing was damaged by an incendiary device Monday morning. (Monika Spykerman/The Columbian)
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A ballot box in Southeast Portland was damaged in an arson Oct. 28. The FBI is offering a reward for the arrest of a suspect in attacks targeting Portland and Vancouver ballot boxes.
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Recently released photos from the Clark County Election’s Office show the magnitude of the Monday morning attack on an east Vancouver ballot box. Hundreds of…
Ballot boxes in Clark County will be staffed with Clark County Elections Office observers 24/7 after arsons on ballot boxes in east Vancouver and Portland…
