Portland teen arrested after allegedly setting his own car on fire

A Portland man is facing charges for allegedly setting his own car on fire. June 28, 2024 (courtesy Washington County Sheriff's Office).

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A Portland teenager was arrested last weekend after allegedly setting his own car on fire and endangering others.

According to the Washington County Sheriff's Office, officers responded to multiple reports of a car on fire in the 15000 block of Southwest Sundew Drive on Saturday, June 22. When they arrived, law enforcement saw “a fully engulfed 1997 Toyota Camry.”

Officers said they saw flames spreading to a tree in a person's yard next to the fire and embers were moving toward the occupied home. Tualatin Valley Fire Department later responded and extinguished the fire. No one was injured.

Authorities said the owner of the car was Ethan Mills, a 19-year-old Portland resident. After an investigation, Mills was identified as the arson suspect. He is accused of setting his own car on fire after breaking out its windows, the sheriff's office said.

Officers found Mills near where the fire started and arrested him. He is being held at the Washington County Sheriff's Office on charges of first- and second-degree arson, first-degree criminal mischief and reckless endangerment.