Investigators have released more details on the suspect in the arson attacks on ballot boxes in Portland and Vancouver and believe he may have plans for more attacks, the Portland Police Bureau announced Wednesday at a press conference.
Police spokesman Mike Benner said 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 was wearing a dark shirt during the attacks.
“We believe this suspect has a wealth of experience in metal fabrication and welding,” Benner said. “Investigators believe it is very possible the suspect intends to continue these targeted attacks across the area.”
The suspect’s car is most likely a dark-colored 2001 to 2004 Volvo S60 with matte paint on parts of the car rather than a standard shiny finish, Benner said. The car has a tan or light gray interior, an aftermarket grille, dark wheels, unpainted body trim, no front license plate and is missing a Volvo emblem.
Portland Police Bureau Chief Bob Day said the welding involved in the attack, in which incendiary devices were placed into the ballot box, was detailed and quality. Day said the belief the suspect may strike again is a speculation.
“That’s just what we have to anticipate. It would be really naïve of us, or unjust for us to say that, ‘Hey, it’s all taken care of’ when we don’t have them in custody,” Day said. “So we have to assume that there are other events that may likely occur.”
The press conference held Wednesday was not convened in the wake of Monday’s ballot box attacks, Benner said. The press conference addressed general security issues in the Portland area in the days surrounding next Tuesday’s general election.
The suspect, connected to three ballot box attacks, used incendiary devices to attack ballot boxes in Southeast Portland and the Fisher’s Landing area of Vancouver on Monday and at a third ballot box in downtown Vancouver on Oct. 8.
More than 500 ballots were destroyed in the ballot box at C-Tran Transit Center 3510 S.E. 164th Ave., according to the Clark County Elections Office. Only three ballots were destroyed in Portland because a fire suppression that failed in Vancouver worked as it was supposed to in Portland.
Elections staff have identified 488 damaged ballots retrieved from the ballot box, according to a Wednesday statement. As of Tuesday, 345 of the identified voters had already contacted the Elections Office to request replacement ballots. Elections staff will mail the remaining 143 replacement ballots to voters Thursday.
Six ballots are unidentifiable, and others may have been completely burned to ash, according to the statement.
“I appreciate everyone’s understanding and patience as we work through this unprecedented event,” County Auditor Greg Kimsey said. “We have taken action that I hope will increase voters’ confidence in using the county’s ballot drop boxes.”
The FBI is also investigating.
Multiple national news outlets, including the New York Times and the Associated Press, reported the both incendiary devices recovered Monday were marked with the words “Free Gaza.” A device found at the third ballot box earlier this month in Vancouver also had the words “Free Palestine,” the New York Times reported Tuesday, attributing the information to “law enforcement officials.”
“We don’t know the motive behind these acts,” Portland Police Assistant Chief Amanda McMillan said. “We do know acts like this are targeted and they’re intentional and we’re concerned about that intentional act trying to impact the election process. We’re dedicated to stopping this kind of behavior.”
FBI Special Agent Doug Olson declined to answer reporters’ questions about those markings at Wednesday’s press conference.
Ballot boxes in Clark County will be staffed with Clark County Elections Office observers 24/7 through Election Day. Ballot box observers are instructed not to confront anyone or interfere with anyone depositing a ballot, according to Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey. If they observe suspicious behavior, they will call 911.
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, 503-823-3473. Please reference case number 24-276181. Information can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Oregon. Submit an anonymous at www.crimestoppersoforegon.com. Crime Stoppers of Oregon offers rewards of up to $2,500 for information, reported to Crime Stoppers, that leads to an arrest in any unsolved felony crime.
Web Editor Amy Libby contributed to this article.
