The Portland Fire Investigations Unit is investigating the December 31, 2022 fire to the Bank of America, 3757 Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard, as arson. The United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are also investigating this incident in an interagency partnership.
If anyone has information about this person, or the case, please contact PPB Detective Meredith Hopper at Meredith.Hopper@police.portlandoregon.gov or call the PF&R Fire Investigation Unit’s tip line, 503-823- FIRE (3473). Please reference PPB case number 22-345266 and PF&R case number 22-136888.
Investigators are aware that there is a social media post taking responsibility for the crime. We cannot verify the authenticity of the claim at this time. Investigators will consider any potential evidence in their effort to determine who is responsible. However, if anyone has more information about the post and the person who made it, they're asked to contact us.
A $25,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction related to this arson.
The Portland Fire Investigations Unit comprises fire investigators with Portland Fire & Rescue (who are sworn law enforcement officers) and a detective with the Portland Police Bureau. The collaboration leverages the specialized training and skills needed to investigate fires, including analysis equipment and accelerant detecting dogs.
Source: Portland Police