Police report suspicious vehicle involved in destruction of electoral ballots

• Police Identify Suspect Vehicle Involved in Ballot Destruction in Portland
• Incendiary Devices Link Multiple Attacks
• Hundreds of Ballots Damaged in Key Washington Election

A “suspect vehicle” has been identified in connection with ballot drop-box fires in Oregon and Washington, according to AP.

Authorities stated that surveillance footage captured a Volvo pulling up to a ballot box in Portland, Oregon.

This occurred shortly before a fire was discovered inside, said Mike Benner, spokesperson for the Portland Police Bureau, in a press conference.

The fire in the Portland ballot box damaged three ballots, while another fire in Vancouver, Washington, destroyed hundreds of ballots, officials reported.

WHERE WERE THE INCENDIARY DEVICES?

BREAKING: Police reveal photos of suspect car in Portland, Vancouver ballot box fires https://t.co/G21AJ6gQay pic.twitter.com/Y4P15UE5gR

— FOX 12 Oregon (@fox12oregon) October 28, 2024

The incendiary devices were attached to the ballot boxes and contained enough material to link both incidents, as well as an additional event on October 8 in Vancouver.

In that previous incident, another incendiary device was placed in a voting drop box, suggesting a pattern of coordinated attacks.

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The ballot boxes in Washington and Oregon are equipped with fire suppression systems designed to activate automatically when the internal temperature reaches a certain level.

While this system worked in Portland, with security personnel quickly extinguishing the fire.

According to AP, in Vancouver, however, the system failed to prevent the destruction of hundreds of ballots, raising concerns among local authorities.

Tim Scott, the elections director for Multnomah County, reported that the county has hired private security guards to patrol and monitor ballot boxes in the area 24 hours a day.

Security personnel heard what sounded like the activation of the fire suppression system in Portland, allowing for a swift and timely response.

However, in Vancouver, the explosion destroyed a significant number of ballots.

Suspect Vehicle Involved in Ballot Destruction

NEW

Hundreds of ballots are destroyed after fires are set in ballot drop boxes in Oregon and Washington pic.twitter.com/OGYQnRPYw3

— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) October 28, 2024

Democratic Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Pérez, who is in a tight race in Washington’s 3rd District, condemned these acts of sabotage.

In a statement, Gluesenkamp Pérez expressed hope that the perpetrator would be swiftly apprehended.

She also voiced her support for local and federal law enforcement to “keep our democratic process safe and secure.”

The congresswoman further called for an increased police presence at Clark County ballot boxes overnight until Election Day.

The Portland Fire Investigation Unit also responded to the scene to investigate.

According to a police statement, the unit comprises Portland Fire & Rescue fire investigators.

As well as a detective from the Portland Police Bureau.

This collaboration utilizes specialized training and skills needed to investigate fires, including analytical equipment and accelerant-detection dogs.

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