Suspect arrested after multiple ballots damaged in Phoenix mailbox fire

PHOENIX – The man suspected of starting a Phoenix mailbox fire that burned multiple Arizona ballots early Thursday indicated that the crime wasn’t politically motivated, authorities said.

The Phoenix Police Department identified alleged arson as 35-year-old Dieter Bradford Klofkorn.

“Klofkorn was located and arrested for an outstanding and unrelated arrest warrant,” Sgt. Rob Scherer said in a media advisory. “While in custody, he was interviewed about his involvement in the arson. Klofkorn admitted to committing the arson. Klofkorn stated that he committed the arson because he wanted to be arrested and that his actions were not politically motivated and not related to anything involving the upcoming election.”

Klofkorn was taken into custody after 12:30 a.m. and booked into jail on one count of felony arson, police said.

The fire was set inside a mailbox outside the post office on Seventh Avenue just south of Indian School Road, according to the Phoenix Fire Department.

After firefighters forced open the box and put out the flames, multiple green ballot envelopes for the upcoming general election were found among the burned mail.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service took custody of the damaged items after the Phoenix mailbox fire.

A task force with Phoenix Police detectives and Phoenix Fire investigators are working with postal inspectors on the arson investigation.

What can voters impacted by Phoenix mailbox fire do?

Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said authorities have been able to identify some of the voters whose ballots were in the mailbox.

“Thanks to the swift response coordinated between election officials, law enforcement and the postal service, we were able to recover many undamaged ballots, and affected voters will be contacted to make sure they’re able to cast a vote,” he said in a statement.

Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer said voters who used the burned mailbox in the last 36 hours should check the status of their ballots at BeBallotReady.Vote.

“Successful delivery is usually reflected on that website within 72 hours,” Richer said in a statement.

However, Friday is the last day voters can request replacement ballots for the Nov. 5 election. Information about how to get a new early ballot is available at Request.Maricopa.Vote.

Registered voters who need a replacement but don’t request one on time can still fill out a ballot in person at any Maricopa County vote center through Election Day. A list of locations and schedules can be found at Locations.Maricopa.Vote.

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