Vancouver man charged with setting fire to 3 Oregon vending machines

By Associated Press

Published: December 19, 2017, 4:45pm

This undated photo provided by the Douglas County Sheriff’s office shows Jason Deschenes. Deschenes, from Vancouver, Wash., faces arson charges after vending machines were set ablaze at two Oregon hotels and a laundry business in the Roseburg, Ore., area. (Douglas County Sheriff’s Office via AP)

ROSEBURG, Ore. — A man faces arson charges after vending machines were set ablaze at two Oregon hotels and a laundry business.

Roseburg police say the fires happened early Tuesday and the suspect — 32-year-old Jason Deschenes of Vancouver — was arrested at a Wal-Mart store.

Police say the first fire was reported at 1:40 a.m. at T&D Coin Laundry in Riddle, Ore. Video showed a suspect igniting a Pepsi vending machine to steal coins inside.

Similar blazes later occurred at the Leisure Inn in Canyonville and a Holiday Inn in Roseburg, and authorities identified Deschenes as the suspect.

Lt. Patrick Moore said Deschenes confessed to setting the fires and then exchanging stolen coins at Wal-Mart for $26 in cash. Moore said the suspect’s shirt, gloves and backpack had burns.

A bottle of lighter fluid was found at the third arson.

Court records show Deschenes had been arrested Sunday, accused of stealing an AR-15 rifle from a truck in Myrtle Creek, Ore. He was given a conditional release.

Support local journalism

Your tax-deductible donation to The Columbian’s Community Funded Journalism program will contribute to better local reporting on key issues, including homelessness, housing, transportation and the environment. Reporters will focus on narrative, investigative and data-driven storytelling.

Local journalism needs your help. It’s an essential part of a healthy community and a healthy democracy.

Featured Realtor

Columbian Homes featured real estate agent

View Listings

Support local journalism

Related Stories