Police: Suspect arrested after USPS Collections Box set on fire, damaging 20 mailed ballots

PHOENIX (KPHO/Gray News) — Authorities in Arizona said a suspect has been taken into custody in connection with a fire in the United States Postal Service Collection Box.

The Phoenix Police Department said the fire took place early Thursday morning, damaging at least a dozen ballots inside.

Officials said 35-year-old Dieter Bradford Klofkorn was arrested for an outstanding and unrelated warrant. While in custody, police said he admitted to the arson because he “wanted to be arrested” and claimed his actions “were not politically motivated” and were unrelated to the upcoming election.

According to officials, Klofkorn started a fire inside the drive-up collection mailbox near 7th Avenue and Indian School Road around 1:20 a.m.

Firefighters arrived at the scene, forced the mailbox open, and put out the flames.

Phoenix Fire Capt. Rob McDade said 20 electoral ballots were damaged in the fire, along with additional mail.

The Collection Box is on the property of a USPS post office, and police said investigators are gathering surveillance video from the scene.

A spokesperson with the U.S. Postal Service called the incident a rare occurrence and advised against dropping off ballots after hours.

Klofkorn was booked on one count of arson of property.

Earlier, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego stated that she was closely monitoring the incident alongside Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, Maricopa County Recorder’s Office and local and federal law enforcement.

Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer is encouraging voters who used that mailbox within the last 36 hours to check the status of their ballots at BeBallotReady.Vote. Typically, the ballot status changes on the website within 72 hours.

Richer says Oct. 25 is the last day to request a replacement ballot. If a voter believes they were impacted by the fire, more information about how to make a request can be found at Request.Maricopa.Vote.

The Postal Inspector took possession of the damaged ballots and mail. Fire officials are continuing to work with police during the investigation.