Officials look for white man between 30 and 40 as ballot box arsonists

Police are looking for a white man in his thirties or forties in connection with the case Monday morning ballot box arson that damaged or destroyed at least 500 ballots in Vancouver, Washington and three in Portland.

Portland police PIO Mike Benner said the suspect linked to the two attacks and another in Vancouver on Oct. 8 is a white male between 30 and 40 years old. He is bald or has very short hair, wore a dark shirt and has a thin face.

Benner said police believe the suspect has “a wealth of experience” in metal fabrication and welding.

“Investigators believe it is entirely possible that the suspect intends to continue these targeted attacks throughout the area,” Benner said at a news conference Wednesday afternoon. PPB Police Chief Bob Day said this is speculation, but police would be “really naive” to assume everything has been settled since the suspect is not in custody.

There are also updates to the description of the suspect vehicle. It is a dark-colored or black Volvo S-60 with a model year between 2001 and 2004. Benner said it has some areas that are matte in color than a standard gloss finish and has a brown or light gray interior. It has dark wheels, unpainted body cladding and no front license plate. There is also an aftermarket grille, which is missing the Volvo emblem.

Anyone with any information is encouraged to contact Detective Meredith Hopper at [email protected] or call the PF&R Fire Investigation Unit tip line, 503-823-3473. The case number to refer to is 24-276181.

Crime Stoppers of Oregon is also offering cash rewards of up to $2,500 for information. Tips are anonymous and can be submitted on the Crime Stoppers website.

Vancouver officials also now have better estimates of how many ballots were damaged or lost in the fire. Election workers identified 488 damaged ballots from the burned box. As of Tuesday, 345 of these voters had contacted the office to request a replacement ballot, and 143 new ballots will be mailed to the additional identified voters on Thursday.

Six ballots were unidentifiable, and an unknown number were burned to ashes, according to a statement from a Clark County auditor.

On Tuesday, The New York Times reports this that two law enforcement officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the devices found at the polling locations contained the words “Free Gaza.” But FBI Special Agent Doug Olson, who is in charge of the Portland field office, said he could not confirm whether any writing was on those devices.

Benner added that the targeted ballot box in Southeast Portland has been sent for forensic analysis.

“As part of that analysis, it will be examined for any type of unique markings or writings. That’s all we can say on this matter right now,” Benner said.