Police Arrest Teen For Playground Arson

OREGON CITY, OR — Oregon City police Monday night arrested a 14-year-old boy in connection with the fire that destroyed a playground structure at Park Place Elementary earlier in the day. The boy will not be identified, though he is being charged with two class C felonies.

Police began their arson investigation just before 2 a.m. Aug. 13 after receiving reports of fire at 16075 Front Ave. The fire was quickly contained, with damage estimates around $15,000.

The boy, who police believe acted alone, is charged with criminal mischief and arson.

Fire previously destroyed a play structure at Park Place Park in April 2017. Monday morning's fire destroyed the play structure at Park Place Elementary School, which is across the street and about one block north of the park.

Two portable outhouse fires at a new housing development near Samson Place on March 13 and 14, 2017, and then the fire at Park Place Park barely a month later on April 3 were being investigated as related arson cases.

While Monday's incident was also investigated as arson, it's unclear whether investigators believe all four cases are connected.

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Images via Oregon City Police Department