A man is facing arson and domestic violence related charges after using a Molotov cocktail to light an occupied trailer on fire.
On Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 6:14a.m., Portland Fire & Rescue responded to a fire in travel trailer at Southeast 162nd Avenue and Southeast Division Street. The fire was extinguished. Fire Investigators responded and determined the fire was arson and the trailer was occupied an adult male and adult female at the time the fire was lit. There were no reported injuries.
About 9:26a.m., East Precinct officers responded to a call of suspicious circumstances near the same intersection. A neighbor found a shopping cart containing what appeared to be incendiary devices (Molotov cocktails). As the investigation was underway, a suspect, William A. Wingo, 33, was spotted nearby. The suspect tried to run but was quickly overtaken and arrested by the officers.
The investigation revealed that Wingo had previously lived in the trailer and had been in a relationship with the female victim. Investigators also determined that on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, Wingo had assaulted the female victim with a slingshot and lit a blanket on fire.
After being interviewed by detectives, Wingo was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of Arson in the First Degree-Domestic Violence (2 counts), Possession of a Destructive Device (3 counts), Manufacturing of a Destructive Device (3 counts), Domestic Violence Assault in the Fourth Degree, Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree-DV, Reckless Endangering Another Person, and unrelated warrants.
The Fire Investigations Unit is grateful for the assistance of East Precinct patrol, the Metro Area Explosives Disposal Unit, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
The Portland Fire Investigations Unit continues to investigate this case. If anyone has information about this arson case, please contact Portland Police 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 PP24-95493.
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.
Photo descriptions:
Glass bottle lying on the street inside firefighting foam, partially broken at the neck, black charring and soot covering it and surrounding pavement
Green and white trailer parked a street with some charred panels, some ash and firefighting foam visible on the pavement
Two images of glass bottles with greenish liquid inside and denim cloth protruding from the necks
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