Vancouver and Portland ballot box arsonist used thermite, FBI says; still no arrests, $25,000 reward offered

By Anthony Macuk, KGW
PORTLAND, Ore. (KGW) — The suspect behind a string of ballot drop box arson incidents in Vancouver and Portland in October used thermite as part of the incendiary devices that they used to start the fires, FBI officials announced Thursday.
Three ballot boxes were targeted — one in downtown Vancouver on Oct. 8, followed by another in east Vancouver and one in Portland both on Oct. 28. The second Vancouver arson destroyed hundreds of ballots, and the one in Portland destroyed three ballots before a built-in fire suppression device prevented further damage.
There have been no arrests or suspects identified so far.
Doug Olson, Special Agent in Charge at the FBI's Portland office and W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge at the Seattle office, discussed the use of thermite at a news conference Thursday afternoon, but did not share any further new information, only reiterating calls for the public to help identify the suspect.
Watch the full news conference above, courtesy of KGW.
"Thermite devices are composed of metal shavings and iron oxide. Iron oxide's also known as rust," Olson said. "This is a very volatile mix that can burn as hot as 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit."
He said the suspect apparently welded the outer casings of the incendiary devices using scrap metal and then inserted what was likely a "coffee-cup-sized portion" of thermite into each device.
"Welders sometimes use thermite to weld metal pieces together, but in the hands of someone who isn't focused on safety, thermite is extremely dangerous," he said. "I want to stress we are very concerned that the person who set these devices may end up hurting himself or others, other unsuspecting family members or neighbors."
After the Oct. 28 incidents, law enforcement officials quickly concluded that the three arsons were linked. C-Tran surveillance video captured the moment when the second Vancouver box caught fire, and the footage appeared to show a person drive up to the box and plant some sort of device just before the fire broke out.
Police released a description of the suspect and vehicle and asked for the public's help to identify them, and the FBI added a $25,000 reward for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the suspect, but so far there have been no further developments announced in the case.
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FBI news release:
FBI & Partners Ask Public To Report Information On Ballot Box Fires: Law Enforcement Agencies Concerned The Suspect May Harm Self Or Others
FBI - Oregon - 01/16/25 1:24 PM
The FBI is asking the public to report any information related to the series of dangerous attacks in October at ballot box locations in Vancouver, Washington, and Portland, Oregon.
As law enforcement continues to investigate, we ask you to report unusual behaviors or the presence of materials and tools that could help law enforcement identify the person responsible before they act out again. Specifically, law enforcement is looking for someone who is unusually knowledgeable about explosives or incendiary devices, particularly thermite, and/or has an interest in grinding or welding metal.
We need your help to identify the person responsible for placing these devices to ensure that they will not harm themself or others. The thermite devices they have created can cause severe injuries and damage to structures.
To date, no one has been injured by these devices, but they are extremely dangerous and could cause serious injury.
Observations to consider between October 8, 2024, and now:
- Did someone brag or show approval or admiration for the person who placed the devices on the ballot boxes?
- Did someone follow the story of these ballot box fires very closely or exhibit an unusual response to the reporting of this story?
- Did someone show increased anxiety about the topic or express fears about being identified as a suspect?
- Did you notice unusual packages or storing of metal shavings or unexplained fire damage to a home or other structure, a field, or a wilderness area?
- Did you notice unusual behaviors such as someone researching thermite, grinding metals, and obtaining small scraps of metal (including pipe endcaps, nuts, and bolts) or welding small projects?Did someone you know recently dispose of or stop using a Volvo S-60 sedan?
Reward
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the person responsible for these crimes. Anyone can view or download the FBI’s Seeking Information Poster and the surveillance video from the Portland incident.
CrimeStoppers of Oregon is offering a separate reward on behalf of the Portland Police Bureau of up to $2,500. (CrimeStoppers of Oregon and Portland Police Bureau will be responsible for determining any payment for this separate reward.)
Background Information
The FBI has been working with our partners at the Portland Police Bureau and Vancouver Police Department to positively identify the person responsible for placing homemade thermite devices on ballot boxes.
Incidents:
1. October 8, 2024 – Ballot box located at the intersection of W 14th Street and Esther Street in Vancouver at approximately 3:45 am.
2. October 28, 2024 – Ballot box located on the north side of the Fisher’s Landing Transit Center in Vancouver near the SE 164th Avenue entrance at approximately 2:35 am.
3. October 28, 2024 – Ballot box located at the intersection of SE Belmont Street and SE 11th Avenue in Portland at approximately 3:08 am.
Vehicle:
The suspect was driving a black or dark grey 2004 Volvo S-60 sedan with a light-colored interior. The car has a sunroof and dark after-market wheel rims, and, at the time of the crime, is missing the Volvo logo normally affixed to the front grill.
Devices:
The suspect welded the three devices using metal for the exterior and inserted thermite into the devices. Thermite looks like metal shavings and/or a metal-based powder. The amount of shavings/powder can be small.
Tips
If you have any information on this suspect or these crimes, please call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or submit your information online at tips.fbi.gov. Tips can remain anonymous.