BEAVERTON, Ore. – A Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District park patrol security officer was arrested in connection with a string of arsons at THPRD facilities in the spring.
Washington County Sheriff’s arson detectives believe John Michael Townsend, 24, of Northwest Portland, intentionally lit fires on small parcels of land owned by THPRD, listed below:
• April 22 4950 NW Saltzman Road
• April 23: 4950 NW Saltzman Road
• April 29: 4950 NW Saltzman Road
• May 19: 20 NW 114th Avenue
• May 20: 20 NW 114th Avenue
Detectives believe Townsend started the fires using road flares, according to Sgt. Bob Ray of the Washington County Sheriff's Office.
A grand jury returned an indictment charging Townsend with five counts of first-degree arson.
Townsend was arrested at 4 p.m. Thursday at the THPRD facility on Northwest Walker Road.
He was lodged into the Multnomah County Jail and held on $250,000 bail.
Detectives ask anyone with information about the fires to call the Washington County Sheriff’s Office at 503-846-2500.
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