A man has been arrested in Arizona after a Phoenix U.S. Postal Service (USPS) mailbox was lit on fire in a suspected arson attack, destroying multiple ballots inside it.
Police arrested 35-year-old Dieter Klofkorn for the attack.
Klofkorn has been charged with one felony count of Arson to Property following the incident.
The incident unfolded early Thursday morning in Arizona’s capital.
In a statement, the Phoenix Police Department said:
“Klofkorn stated that he committed the arson because he wanted to be arrested and that his actions were not politically motivated and not related to anything involving the upcoming election.”
Images taken from the scene showed a charred mailbox outside a U.S. Post Office.
The Post Office was located near 3900 North 7th Avenue.
The Phoenix Fire Department says the suspect “arrived early Thursday.”
He reportedly “lit a fire inside the blue drive-up collection mailbox” before crews responded.
Firefighters were forced the open the mailbox to extinguish the flames.
According to Fox10 Phoenix, the fire department added:
“Approximately 20 electoral ballots were damaged, along with additional miscellaneous mail.
“The Postal Inspector took possession of the damaged ballots and mail.”
The station also quoted Phoenix Police Sgt. Robert Scherer, who said:
“Klofkorn has a decent history with Phoenix police, and the valley surrounding.”
Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer is now encouraging local voters to check their ballots.
Voters who used that mailbox can check the status of their ballots online.
The city’s Democrat Mayor Kate Gallego also told Fox10 Phoenix:
“Threats are not OK.
“Attempts to intimidate are deeply illegal, and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
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