Arson Fire Guts ODOT Office in Bend

By Amelia Templeton | Feb. 18, 2010 9:39 a.m. | Updated: June 16, 2010 11:56 p.m. | Portland, OR

A fire gutted an Oregon Department of Transportation office in Bend on Monday causing half a million dollars in damage. The Bend Police department says the fire was arson and it has identified a suspect. Amelia Templeton reports.  Crews putting out the fire at the ODOT office first noticed evidence suggesting arson. The Bend police called in state fire marshals and police fire investigators to help examine the building. They found that the fire had started in many different places throughout the office. Bend police say that, and other evidence, confirmed arson and led them to suspect 20-year-old Preston Jacob Berman.  Police Lieutenant Ben Gregory declined to be more specific. Ben Gregory: "We believe there’s probable cause to believe that Mr. Berman acted alone in setting the fires that caused the arson. As far as we’re concerned our case is closed."The police became concerned about Berman’s mental health and have placed him at St. Charles hospital for evaluation and treatment.  The case has been referred to the Deschutes county District Attorney.  Amelia Templeton, OPB News.

© 2010 OPB

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