### Arsonist Targets Ballot Boxes in Portland and Vancouver

Authorities are on the hunt for a suspect who ignited ballot boxes in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, within a single day. Security footage sheds light on these incidents, showing a man believed to be in his 30s or 40s setting the fires.

The suspect first struck in Vancouver at the Fisher's Landing Transit Center around 2:30 a.m. on October 28, 2024. Footage shows a dark-colored sedan arriving at the site, with a visible glow against the driver’s side window. Within 30 seconds, the man attached an incendiary device to the ballot box and drove off. Moments later, the device ignited, causing a fire that the built-in suppression system failed to extinguish, leading to the destruction of hundreds of ballots.

The C-TRAN security cameras captured the car entering and leaving the location, but the footage offered limited details about the vehicle and its driver. Investigators acquired these videos through a records request and confirmed the first attack occurred in Vancouver before a second arson in Portland.

Approximately an hour later, at 3:30 a.m., Portland officers responded to another fire at a ballot box on Southeast Morrison Street. Unlike the previous box, this one’s fire suppression canister effectively doused the flames, preserving many of the ballots.

Mike Benner, a spokesperson for the Portland Police Bureau (PPB), noted the suspect's apparent expertise in metal fabrication and welding. Law enforcement officials believe the arsonist is working alone and has specialized knowledge in handling incendiary materials.

The search for the perpetrator continues as authorities scrutinize the sparse clues from the surveillance videos in hopes of apprehending the individual responsible for these destructive acts.