Police reveal description of suspect, say more ballot box burnings possible

The manhunt for a suspect in arson fires targeting ballot boxes in the Pacific Northwest continued Thursday as details emerged about a suspect and a possible motive amid concerns that more boxes will burn.

In Oregon, Portland Police Agency spokesperson Mike Benner said the suspect is believed to have a "wealth of experience in metal fabrication and welding.” Benner, speaking at a briefing Wednesday, described him as a white male 30 to 40 years old with short hair or balding, a thin-to-medium build and thin face.

"It is very possible the suspect intends to continue targeted attacks across the area," Benner warned.

Portland police said they responded to reports of a fire at a ballot box in the Buckman neighborhood at about 3:30 a.m. Monday. Police in neighboring Vancouver, Washington, responded to an arson at a ballot box about 30 minutes later.

Police later released two photos of a vehicle investigators believe was tied to both fires. Authorities were searching for a black or dark-colored 2001-2004 Volvo S-60 with no front license plate and an unknown rear plate.

Ballot boxes burn: Hundreds of votes destroyed in Washington, Oregon arson cases

Developments:

? Portland Police Chief Robert Day warned that despite increased security for ballot boxes, similar attacks could take place: "It would be really naive of us or unjust of us to say 'Hey, this is taken care of" when we don't have him in custody."

? Crimes Stoppers of Oregon is offering a $2,500 reward for information that leads to an arrest.

Almost 500 ballots damaged in Vancouver

In Washington, Clark County officials said Wednesday that the failure of the fire suppression system in its box resulted in at least 488 damaged ballots. Replacement ballots were being sent to the voters. Elections personnel were unable to identify six of the ballots ? and other ballots may have been burned to ash and would be unidentifiable.

Authorities were altering pickup times and increasing security for the ballot boxes, Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey said.

“I appreciate everyone’s understanding and patience as we work through this unprecedented event,” Kimsey said. “We have taken action that I hope will increase voters’ confidence in using the county’s ballot drop boxes.”

In Oregon, Multnomah County election official Tim Scott said a fire suppression system limited damage to three ballots and that those voters were being contacted.

Vancouver police said Monday's arson was similar to one attempted at a ballot box there Oct. 8. That device did not explode. Voting in both states takes place almost entirely by mail and drop boxes.

The FBI said it was coordinating with federal, state and local agencies to investigate the attacks. The FBI declined to comment on whether the arsons would be investigated as domestic terrorism.

'Free Gaza' messages found: Writing was on devices used in Oregon, Washington ballot box fires, reports say

Reports link fires to Pro-Palestinian messaging

Pro-Palestinian messages were found on the devices that set the boxes aflame, according to reports. The New York Times and ABC News, citing anonymous sources, reported that a message reading "Free Gaza" appeared on the devices used in Monday's arsons, which took place 15 miles from each other in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington.

Benner and Day declined to answer questions about a motive for the fires or the writing on the boxes.

Messages saying "Free Gaza" and "Free Palestine" also appeared on the device found Oct. 8 in Vancouver, the Times and ABC reported. It was not immediately known whether the suspect was a pro-Palestinian activist or whether the fires were an attempt to cause confusion ahead of the election, the outlets reported, citing anonymous sources.

Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund and James Powel

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Police reveal description of suspect in ballot box burnings