On May 16, the May Apartments at 1410 Southwest Taylor Street in Portland, caught fire and the building was destroyed.
Since the fire, the Portland Fire Investigations Unit, a collaboration between the Portland Police Bureau and Portland Fire & Rescue, has been investigating the origin of the fire, including gathering and analyzing of evidence and interviewing witnesses.
On the evening of Thursday, May 25th, the Fire Investigation Unit and Central Precinct officers arrested Garrett A. Repp, 30, who was a resident of the May Apartments.
Repp was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of Arson in the First Degree (2 counts), Reckless Endangering Another Person (18 counts), and Criminal Mischief in the First Degree (11 counts).
The Portland Fire Investigations Unit comprises Portland Fire & Rescue fire investigators, who are sworn law enforcement officers, and a detective with the Portland Police Bureau. The collaboration leverages the specialized training and skills needed to investigate fires, including analysis equipment and accelerant detecting dogs.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Source: PFIU
