Drop box burning devices in Ore. and Wash. had ‘Free Gaza’ message

[Lauren Taylor]

THERE’S NEW INFORMATION ON THE INVESTIGATION INTO TWO BALLOT BOX FIRES IN OREGON AND WASHINGTON – THAT AUTHORITIES NOW BELIEVE ARE CONNECTED.

OFFICIALS  SAY THE DEVICES USED IN THE ARSONS WERE MARKED WITH THE WORDS “FREE GAZA.”

EARLY MONDAY MORNING … FIRE CREWS RESPONDED TO TWO SEPARATE BALLOT BOX FIRES IN PORTLAND AND VANCOUVER – HAPPENING ABOUT A HALF HOUR APART. 

MORE THAN 100 BALLOTS WERE DESTROYED IN VANCOUVER, WHILE A FIRE SUPPRESSANT SYSTEM IN THE PORTLAND BALLOT BOX SAVED ALL BUT THREE OF THE BALLOTS. 

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS SAY THE “FREE GAZA” MESSAGE WAS NOT ONLY ON THE TWO DEVICES FROM MONDAY, BUT ALSO ON A THIRD DEVICE FOUND AT A BALLOT BOX EARLIER THIS MONTH IN VANCOUVER.

THAT DEVICE ALSO HAD “FREE PALESTINE” ON IT. 

NOW, INVESTIGATORS ARE WORKING TO DETERMINE IF THE SUSPECT IS A PRO-PALESTINIAN ACTIVIST OR IF IT’S SOMEONE TRYING TO HEIGHTEN DIVISIONS THAT ALREADY EXIST IN THE U-S. 

POLICE DID IDENTIFY THE SUSPECT’S VEHICLE FROM THE PORTLAND INCIDENT SEEN HERE.

THEY BELIEVE THE VOLVO IS TIED TO THE OTHER TWO INCIDENTS IN VANCOUVER. 

BOTH OREGON AND WASHINGTON DEPEND ON MAIL-VOTING SYSTEMS.

A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE HOMELAND SECURITY DEPARTMENT PUT OUT A WARNING ABOUT OF INCENDIARY AND EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS BEING DROPPED INTO BALLOT BOXES.

VANCOUVER OFFICIALS SAY THEY’RE INCREASING PATROLS TO 24 HOURS A DAY NEAR BALLOT BOXES. 

FOR SAN I’M … LAUREN TAYLOR. 

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