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Man arrested in USPS mailbox arson that damaged ballots, Phoenix authorities say

KJZZ

Phoenix police and fire investigators say they’ve arrested a 35-year-old man in connection with a fire set in a blue mailbox outside a U.S. Post Office.

The early-morning arson that damaged electoral ballots comes as Arizonans continue casting votes by mail.

Firefighters were called just after 1 a.m. to a U.S. Post Office near Seventh Avenue and Indian School Road for a drive-up mailbox that was on fire.

Suspecting arson, they pooled resources with Phoenix police detectives and postal inspectors to identify Dieter Bradford Klofkorn as a potential suspect.

Investigators say they arrested Klofkorn on a separate warrant and then asked him about the arson.

Authorities allege that Klofkorn admitted to lighting the fire.

Klofkorn reportedly told investigators he was not politically motivated and just wanted to be arrested.

More law enforcement news

Matthew Casey has won Edward R. Murrow awards for hard news and sports reporting since he joined KJZZ as a senior field correspondent in 2015.