Police Make Arrest in 'Molotov Cocktail-Style' Attempted Arson

Police say they still seek one person in an attempted Arson of an Oregon DHS building.

27-year old Marlene Chenette of Portland remains wanted over the Attempted Arson of a DHS building. Photo: Gresham Police

(GRESHAM, Ore.) - Police are seeking the public's help in locating a woman who they say became angry with the Department of Human Services over losing her parental rights, and tried to burn the DHS building down in Gresham two years ago.

Police say that on November 24th 2005, officers were dispatched to what appeared to be a broken window at the Gresham DHS building, 335 NW Division.

Since it did not appear that anybody had made entry and there were no responders available, police employees failed to look inside the building and instead boarded up the window.

The following day, DHS employees discovered Molotov cocktails and a rock had been thrown through a window, but that the incendiary devices had not ignited.

At that time, DHS employees identified a woman who was angry with DHS over losing her parental rights, and as a result, threatened DHS employees.

After a lengthy investigation, analysis of physical evidence, and interviews with DHS employees, police identified 32-year old Christopher Coopersmith and 27-year old Marlene Chenette of Portland, were indicted on charges of Attempted Arson in the first degree and subsequent arrest warrants were issued.

Coopersmith was arrested on March 26th 2008 for his role in the attempted arson. Marlene Chenette is still outstanding and her location is unknown, but she has additional warrants out of Hood River and Clackamas counties.

Anyone with information about her whereabouts is urged to call police.