Police: Suspect of NE Portland explosions booked for felony possession of 'destructive device'

Stephen Filipelli, the 62-year-old man arrested in connection to multiple explosions that occurred near 141st Ave. and San Rafael Street in Northeast Portland on Aug. 5, was booked in the Multnomah County Jail on two felony counts of “possession of a destructive device,” arrest records show.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Stephen Filipelli, the 62-year-old man arrested in connection to multiple explosions that occurred near 141st Avenue and San Rafael Street in Northeast Portland on Aug. 5, was booked in the Multnomah County Jail on two felony counts of “possession of a destructive device,” arrest records show.

According to Oregon law, destructive devices are defined as devices that are explosive, incendiary or have poison gas components. Examples of explosive devices include bombs, grenades, rockets, missiles and mines. Destructive devices are also defined as “any combination of parts either designed or intended for use in converting any device into” any of the aforementioned explosives.

Portland Police Bureau officers were called to the scene twice in response to the explosions — once at 9 a.m., and a second time at about 1 p.m. Investigators told KOIN 6 News that it appears that Filipelli initially tried to blow up his vehicle in the area Monday morning, then “left the scene in his car and returned hours later and caused a second explosion on the side of the road.”

Portland resident Jeanie Kleen told KOIN 6 News that she felt the shock wave of one of the explosions.

“It was a big explosion that almost sounded like it was under my house,” Kleen said. “There was an element of firecracker sound to it, but it was more intense.”

Three neighbors in the area told KOIN 6 News that they were surprised that Filipelli may be suspected of using explosives. Court records show that Filipelli has faced numerous felony charges in Oregon dating back to 1997. However, no previous charges were related to “destructive devices.”

The Portland Police Bureau declined to comment on the contents of the devices that caused the explosions because the cause remains under investigation. KOIN 6 News requested more information about the case from the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office on Monday as a matter of public safety. However, the DA’s office has not immediately responded.

Filipelli was released from the Multnomah County Jail on monitored pretrial release on the same day of his arrest.