FBI officials 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

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, FBI officials 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.

The FBI needs 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 end caps, 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 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 14^th Street and Esther Street in Vancouver at approximately 3:45 a.m.

2.     October 28, 2024 – Ballot box located on the north side of the Fisher’s Landing Transit Center in Vancouver near the SE 164^th Avenue entrance at approximately 2:35 a.m.

3.     October 28, 2024 – Ballot box located at the intersection of SE Belmont Street and SE 11^th Avenue in Portland at approximately 3:08 a.m.

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.

Information provided by FBI Oregon.