The FBI is conducting a “separate but parallel investigation” into the ballot box fires that broke out in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington on Monday morning.
The fires occurred approximately two hours apart, and enough evidence gathered from both blazes have shown the incidents to be connected. They are also connected to a separate Oct. 8 incident in Vancouver, Washington. The incidents have resulted in the destruction of hundreds of ballots.
Law enforcement officials have identified a suspect vehicle that was seen leaving the ballot box in Portland. The vehicle has been described as a "black or dark-colored 2001-2004 Volvo S-60” that is missing a front plate, per CNN.
“We don’t know the motives behind these acts, sounds like a series of three at this point, but we do know that acts like this are targeted and intentional,” Portland Police Bureau Assistant Chief Amanda McMillan said in a news conference Monday. “We are concerned about that intentional act trying to affect the election process. We’re dedicated to stopping that kind of behavior and we are working toward that today.”
FBI officials told the media that it is “coordinating with federal, state and local partners to actively investigate the two incidents," but did not indicate whether the incidents are being investigated as domestic terror, the National Review reported.
The incidents come after the intelligence community warned Americans in July about the threats of explosive or incendiary devices being dropped in ballot boxes this November. The Department of Homeland security issued the warning after an unidentified informant notified them about online forums detailing how to attack the boxes.
Related Story: Ballot Drop Boxes Set Afire in Oregon, Washington, Hundreds of Ballots Destroyed
