PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The woman allegedly stalked and harassed by a man now accused of arson and 5 counts of attempted murder told KOIN 6 News he started sending threatening messages online earlier this year.
The woman who spoke with KOIN 6 News — who knew the suspect, Eric Alexander, for 15 years and briefly dated him — did not live at the house. But, she said, the threats and harassment began after she ended their relationship this summer.
Alexander was arrested Friday night after allegedly tossing a Molotov cocktail-like device onto the front porch of a home in the 2200 block of SE Salmon very early on Thursday. One resident tried to put the flames out with a fire extinguisher as several others were asleep in the home. When fire crews arrived, they found the porch fire had spread to other parts of the house.
Everyone managed to get out safely but the house suffered about $50,000 damage, according to the probable cause arrest document obtained by KOIN 6 News.
That home belongs to someone who is close to Alexander’s ex-girlfriend.