Honda CRVs targeted in arsons
PORTLAND, Ore. - Firefighters are investigating the torching of three Honda CRVs and are also looking into a fourth arson attempt involving a Ford truck that may be related.
The incidents happened in southeast Portland early Tuesday morning. The fires were set between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. at four locations:
"This is unbelievable," said Nelly Kelly, one of the Honda CRV owners. "I don't even get something like this."
"I thought it was a cigarette smoking meth freak who was siphoning gas," said Cheryl Mitzlaff, who owns the Ford pickup. So far, her vehicle is the only one that escaped total damage.
"I feel very lucky," she said. "I feel extremely lucky."
The other vehicles, all Honda CRVs, were totally destroyed.
Fire investigators believe all of the Honda CRV fires are definitely related. So far they have found open gas doors, popped lids and a trail of destruction.
"Someone's got something against either Honda, the way the CRV is advertised or who knows what it might be," said Lt. Allen Oswalt with the Portland Fire Bureau.
Portland police say federal investigators are getting involved in the case and that the perpetrator, or perpetrators, could face Measure 11 charges since one of the fires also damaged a home with people inside.