Prineville car set ablaze by arsonist, police say

A car parked in the driveway of a northeast Prineville home apparently was set ablaze early Friday, and police said it appeared to be a targeted, not random act of arson.

The vehicle fire was reported around 3 a.m. in the 300 block of NE Loper Avenue, said police Capt. Michael Boyd.

Arriving fire crews found a sedan engulfed in flames. The fire was extinguished and no injuries or other property damage were reported, Boyd said.

However, the car was in a home’s driveway, so it posed a threat to the home and its occupants, as well as the surrounding neighborhood, the captain added.

An initial investigation indicates the car was set on fire “by persons unknown,” Boyd said. “Although the investigation is in its early stages, this does not appear to be a random act, and that this vehicle was targeted by the suspect(s).”

Anyone with information that could help in the investigation was asked to contact the Prineville Police Department Detective Division at (541) 447-4168.

You can also call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-877-876-TIPS, or use the form on KTVZ.COM’s Crime Stoppers page. You can remain anonymous, and you could be eligible for a cash reward.