PHOENIX — As many as 20 ballots were damaged or destroyed in a mailbox fire at a United States Postal Service location in Phoenix. Police say the suspect, who has been arrested, lit a piece of paper and threw it in the mailbox, but did not know ballots were inside the box.
The Phoenix Fire Department was called to the location near 7th Avenue and Indian School Road around 1:20 a.m. for reports that a person set fire to the drive-up collection mailbox.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Un buzón fue incendiado y contenía en su interior 20 boletas que resultaron quemadas
Once the fire was extinguished, the department's Arson Investigation Taskforce responded to open a criminal investigation. The Postal Inspector took possession of the damaged ballots and mail.
Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer released the following statement about the incident:
"We are waiting for details from law enforcement. We encourage all voters who used that mail box in the last 36 hours to check the status of their ballots at https://BeBallotReady.Vote. Successful delivery is usually reflected on that website within 72 hours. Voters should be aware that tomorrow, October 25 is the last day to request a replacement ballot. If a voter believes they were impacted by this incident they can learn more about how to make that request at https://Request.Maricopa.Vote."
Phoenix police said Dieter B. Klofkorn, 35, allegedly admitted to starting the fire because "he wanted to get arrested." He told police his actions were not politically motivated nor related to the upcoming election, police said.
“Why that was his desire, we did not get that far into it," Phoenix Police Public Information Officer Rob Scherer said during a news conference following the arrest.
Klofkorn was booked into jail.
Scherer said Klofkorn "has a decent history" with the Phoenix Police Department and surrounding jurisdictions, and was originally arrested on an outstanding arrest warrant. He is now also under arrest and facing arson charges.
“We understand the concern,” Scherer said. “There was never any point that led us or any information that led us to believe that this was maybe election related or anything like that.”
If you believe your mail was impacted by this recent incident, please file a report directly with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service by calling 877-876-2455 or by visiting www.uspis.gov/report.
Watch the full press conference below:
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