Man Suspected of Trying to Set Mosque on Fire Arrested in Portland
Michael E. Bivins, 34, was booked into the Multnomah County jail Saturday morning, the Portland Police Bureau reported. Bivins is accused of a weeklong crime spree and faces the following charges:
- First-degree criminal mischief for allegedly breaking a window at the Congregation Shir Tikvah in Northeast Portland on April 30.
- Third-degree criminal mischief for allegedly painting antisemitic graffiti at the Congregation Beth Israel in Northwest Portland on May 2.
- First-degree arson, which is a Measure 11 crime, for allegedly lighting a fire at the Muslim Community Center of Portland while it was occupied on May 3.
- First-degree criminal mischief for allegedly returning to the Congregation Beth Israel on May 4 and breaking another window.
According to Portland police, Bivins was arrested after he went to the KPTV television news station in Beaverton and demanded to speak with a reporter.
A Beaverton police detective coordinated with PPB and Bivins was taken into custody.
Additional charges may be filed against Bivins as Portland law enforcement discusses the cases with federal authorities.
Source: opb.org
