Man arrested for crimes at three places of worship in Portland
(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.
Cuthill, Meagan. “Portland Police Arrest Man Suspected of Trying to Set Mosque on Fire, Vandalize Synagogues.” Opb, 7 May 2022, www.opb.org/article/2022/05/07/portland-police-arrest-man-suspected-of-trying-to-set-mosque-on-fire/. Accessed 11 May 2022.
Mesh, Aaron. “Former Freelance Reporter Arrested on Charges of Vandalizing Temples and Setting Fire at Mosque.” Willamette Week, 7 May 2022, www.wweek.com/news/courts/2022/05/07/former-freelance-reporter-arrested-on-charges-of-vandalizing-temples-and-setting-fire-at-mosque/. Accessed 11 May 2022.
Portland Police Public Information Office. “UPDATE #3: Arson Suspect Arrested, Charged with Crimes Related to Multiple Incidents (Photo).” Www.portlandoregon.gov, 7 May 2022, www.portlandoregon.gov/police/news/read.cfm?id=412300. Accessed 11 May 2022.