BEAVERTON, Ore. – Officials have reported a recent incident of arson at the Beaverton Transit Station, where a man with a previous history of similar offenses was again apprehended. On November 8, 2024, the peace at the transit hub was shattered by what a security officer described as a tremor followed by a loud explosion within the premises.
The officer, who was patrolling a nearby parking structure at the time, witnessed flaming embers scattered in the air around the station. According to authorities, a camping propane bottle was found near the sushi restaurant at the station. Nearby, 48-year-old Pavel Shved was observed on a bench, seemingly uninvolved until further investigation unfolded.
Surveillance footage provided by Tri-Met, the regional transit authority, later showed Shved engaging in activities that led to the fire. He was caught pouring alcohol into a plastic water bottle, spreading the flammable liquid on a transportation platform, and igniting it, leading to the explosion.
This is not Shved’s first encounter with the law regarding arson. He had previous charges for multiple fire-related incidents that occurred in 2020. During this time, Shved was under probation, having been convicted of three counts of first-degree arson and criminal mischief, resulting in a sentence of three years probation and 60 days in jail.
Complications arose during Shved’s booking process at Washington County Jail, where initially there was a reluctance to book him due to a misdemeanor charge. This led to a delay in processing that culminated in Shved missing a court appearance in December 2024. He was subsequently arrested on January 15, 2025, facing the arson charge.
Upon arrest, Shved denied any involvement with the fire at first but later explained to the police the sequence of his actions. He admitted to creating a makeshift device by placing the propane tank in a pan with denatured alcohol and setting it on fire, an action he claims to have previously done without major incidents. Shved asserted his lack of intention to cause harm.
Legal proceedings moved swiftly following his arrest, with Shved being arraigned on January 16. He faces multiple charges, including attempted arson and the unlawful manufacture and possession of a destructive device, and is scheduled for another court appearance on January 24.
This incident raises concerns about the efficacy of current measures to monitor individuals with a history of fire-related crimes, particularly those involving public safety in transit environments. The repeated offenses spotlight potential gaps in the probation system and the need for more stringent supervisory mechanisms to prevent recurrences. As the community recovers from the shock of this event, focus intensifies on fortifying the safety protocols at public transit locations, a pivotal part in safeguarding public security.