Reward for tips related to Vancouver ballot box fires increases to $30,000
Anyone who shares useful tips related to the October ballot box fires in Vancouver, Washington may be rewarded with up to $30,000.
On Thursday, the Arson Alarm Foundation, a nonprofit that seeks to increase arson awareness, announced it was offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest or conviction of the person responsible for setting fire to ballot boxes in Vancouver before the general election.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is already offering a reward of $25,000 for the same information, so the AAF reward boosts a potential tipster’s possible earnings to $30,000. The AAF is partnering with the Northwest Insurance Council (NWIC) and Washington Surveying and Rating Bureau (WSRB) to offer the reward.
“Arson impacts everyone, causing devastating damage to lives and property while increasing insurance costs for the entire community,” NWIC president Kenton Brine said. “We strongly urge anyone with information about this and other fires in the area to come forward and contact the FBI or the Arson Alarm hotline.”
Tips can be shared with the FBI at 800-225-5324, online at tips.fbi.gov or at a local FBI office. The AAF is also accepting tips at their Arson Alarm Hotline at 800-55-ARSON (800-552-7766) or through its website at www.arsonalarm.com. The AAF says tipsters can remain anonymous.
A ballot box arson in Vancouver occurred between 3:30 and 4 a.m. Oct. 8, according to the FBI. An unknown person reportedly placed an “improvised incendiary device” on a ballot drop box. Similar devices were placed on other ballot drop boxes in Vancouver and in Portland between 2 and 4 a.m. Oct. 28.
The FBI believes the suspect approached the ballot boxes in an early 2003 to 2004 Volvo S-60 sedan that was dark-colored on the outside and had a light-colored interior.
The vehicle reportedly does not have a Volvo logo on the front grill, according to surveillance camera images shared by the FBI. Additionally, the vehicle had a fake temporary Washington state license plate on the rear and no front license plate.
The driver has been described as a white man, about 30 to 40 years old with thinning hair. The FBI believes he may have a background in metal work and welding.
The AAF says it has awarded more than $100,000 to Washington citizens over the past decade for tips that led to the arrest or conviction of people suspected of arson. Those rewards are paid annually from a $10,000 award fund created in collaboration by the NWIC, WSRB and AAF.
