A Portland Democrat who once called for homeless individuals to be given housing suffered an ironic and cruel twist of fate last week.
As The Oregonian reported, 51-year-old homeless man Vashon Locust was arrested on Tuesday after starting a fire that torched Portland City Councilor Candace Avalos’ townhome and car.
He faces charges of reckless burning, second-degree mischief, and trespassing. These are all misdemeanors.
According to a police affidavit obtained by the paper, Locust snuck into a shed near Avalos’ home on October 26 and attempted to use an electric outlet.
When that failed, he set a fire to stay warm, but he later claimed that it got out of control and tried to put it out.
“He shared that it was very cold that night and his clothing was wet,” the affidavit reads. “Locust attempted to extinguish the fire with his foot.”
Locust then fled to a nearby church.
On October 28, Locust allegedly returned to the scene of the crime to inspect the remains.
Avalos and her cat managed to escape the incident unharmed. She claimed afterward that she was targeted for her political beliefs.