NEWPORT, Ore. — A Eugene woman was arrested late Monday night after allegedly attempting to set fire to a building housing multiple government service agencies in Newport, according to the Newport Police Department.
Officers responded at approximately 11:25 p.m. on April 6 to reports of suspicious activity at the Avery Building, located at 120 NE Avery Street. Investigators say a woman had purchased gasoline from a nearby Circle K and then poured it on the exterior of the building.
The Avery Building houses several government-related offices, including the Oregon Department of Human Services, the Community Services Consortium, and WorkSource Oregon.
When officers arrived, they located 45-year-old Bridgette Sherman, of Eugene, near a two-gallon gas can. Authorities said the contents of the can had been spread on the building and adjacent sidewalk. Nearby, officers found a cigarette saturated with gasoline that had a burned tip but failed to ignite the fuel.
The building was unoccupied at the time of the incident and was not damaged.
Following her arrest, police determined Sherman is an employee of the Oregon Department of Human Services. She was lodged at the Lincoln County Jail on a charge of Attempted Arson in the First Degree.
The Newport Police Department was assisted by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and the Newport Fire Department.
The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Jack Grippin at 541-574-3348. Tips can also be submitted through the department’s tip line at 541-574-5455, by text at 541-270-1856, or via email at tipline@newportpolice.net.
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