(MAY 13, 2022) Last Saturday, Portland Police identified a suspect in connection with several crimes at houses of worship. Houses of worship are places like churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples. According to a police report, Michael E. Bivins, 34, of Portland, was arrested for the following things:
April 30, 2022 – Congregation Shir Tikvah, 2420 NE Sandy Blvd - Broken window
May 2, 2022 – Congregation Beth Israel, 1972 NW Flanders St – Graffiti on synagogue
May 3, 2022 – Muslim Community Center of Portland – Fire to occupied mosque
May 4, 2022 – Congregation Beth Israel 1972 NW Flanders – Large rock thrown through library window
Bivins was arrested with the assistance of the Beaverton Police Department after he visited KPTV television news station. He demanded to speak to a reporter there. According to Oregon Public Broadcasting, Bivens went to the TV station to talk about his anti-Semitic views. (According to Cambridge Learner's Dictionary, anti-Semitic means "showing hatred for Jewish people, or unfair or cruel towards people because they are Jewish.") OPB said he was carrying an ice pick and a hammer, and he had previously expressed hateful views on his Twitter account.
A Beaverton Police detective followed up and coordinated with Portland Police. Bivins was arrested. Additional investigation is ongoing. Further charges are possible.