PORTLAND, Ore. — A homeless man accused of setting a fire that damaged Portland City Councilor Candace Avalos' home and destroyed her car has a years-long history of criminal charges and court-ordered mental health treatment — further highlighting gaps in Oregon's mental health care systems.

Portland police arrested Vashon Locust this week, charging him with reckless burning, criminal mischief, and criminal trespass.

Investigators connected Locust to the case after reviewing a video of a man walking away from the scene. Police say Locust lit a small fire to stay warm, but it quickly spread, damaging the property of Avalos and two others.

While Avalos and others initially expressed concern that the fire could be an act of political violence , investigators' early findings appear to s

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