BCN #117 Ballot drop box fires under investigation in Oregon, Washington

BCN #117
Ballot drop box fires under investigation in Oregon, Washington…

CNN
—
Federal authorities are investigating fires at two ballot boxes reported Monday morning in the Portland, Oregon, area, as well as another fire reported earlier this month.

Evidence Material from the incendiary devices found at the ballot boxes Monday show the fires are connected, as well as a third incident reported in Vancouver on October 8, and authorities have identified a “suspect vehicle” that was seen leaving the scene of the first fire, said Mike Benner, a spokesperson for Portland Police Bureau.

Authorities in Portland said they have Portland Police also identified a “suspect vehicle” seen leaving the scene of the fire in Portland, which is believed to be tied to the two indicents in Vancouver as well, they said in a news release Monday. The car appears to be “a black or dark-colored 2001-2004 Volvo S-60” that’s missing a front plate and has an unknown rear plate, they said. tied to a pair of fires in ballot drop boxes in the area and believe the two incidents are connected, he said.

We don’t know the motives behind these acts, sounds like a series of three at this point, but we do know that acts like this are targeted and intentional,” Portland Police Assistant Chief Amanda McMillan said during a news conference Monday. “We are concerned about that intentional act trying to affect the election process. We’re dedicated to stopping that kind of behavior and we are working toward that today.”

Meanwhile, the FBI is running a “seperate but parrallel investigation” into the matter, Benner said. The agency’s Seattle office confirmed to CNN they are working on the investigation. Meanwhile, federal officials have joined the investigation with the help of state and local law enforcement agencies, said Steve Bernd, a spokesperson for the FBI’s Seattle office.

Early morning calls on ballot boxes
Police responded to a call about a fire in Portland about 3:30 a.m. Monday, the Portland Police Bureau said in a statement. An “incendiary device” was attached to the side of the box placed inside the box and security personnel extinguished the fire, officials said. Police previously said the device was placed inside the box.