Man arrested in customer set ablaze at Portland-area Denny’s
(Story updated with suspect’s charge, details)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Police arrested a 24-year-old man who they believe set a customer on fire at a Denny’s restaurant near Portland.
The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office said Friday that Deshaun Swanger of Milwaukie, Oregon, was booked into jail on a charge of attempted murder.
The incident happened Wednesday night, shortly after a young man entered the restaurant and sat in booth adjacent to the victim. Police said surveillance video showed the man douse the victim with gasoline and toss a lit match.
Deputies arrested Swanger after getting a tip from one of his neighbors. They said he was living in transitional housing with about 18 people.
The 69-year-old victim is in critical condition at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portlandl. His family identified him as Scott Ranstrom. They said in a GoFundMe page he has burns on his face and body.
The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office tweeted “We got him!” Thursday night, KGW-TV reported.
Swanger was arrested at a transitional home, located at Southeast 80th Avenue and Sunnyside Drive, just a few blocks away from the restaurant.
Swanger has a criminal history, including charges of robbery, burglary and assault, the TV station reported.
A neighbor called in a tip to the sheriff’s office and told deputies he believed the man they were looking for was Swanger and that he lived at the transitional house with about 18 people.
The neighbor said he used to live at the home with Swanger and was surprised by the allegations.
“He was really quiet…he stayed to himself,” the neighbor said of Swanger.
Deputies said Swanger and Ranstrom did not know each other.
Detectives are looking into the possibility that this case is related to another incident earlier this week, in which a person threw gasoline on a stranger at the Clackamas Town Center movie theater.
Sgt. Dan Kraus of the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office said the man entered the Denny’s on Southeast 82nd Avenue late Wednesday and sat in a booth adjacent to the victim.
He said surveillance video showed the suspect dumping a liquid onto the victim. He then tossed a lit item onto the victim, causing a large flash.
