Salem Man Ethan Thorington Arrested After Morning Crime Spree Involving Arson, Robbery, and Assault

SALEM, Ore. — A Salem man is in custody following a violent and destructive crime spree that unfolded in Northeast Salem on Monday morning, November 24, 2025. The suspect, identified as 26-year-old Ethan Thorington, faces multiple felony charges including arson, robbery, and assault.

Morning Spree Begins with Arson

The sequence of events began at approximately 10:17 a.m. when emergency dispatchers received reports of a residential fire in the 300 block of Khartoum Street SE. Salem Fire Department crews and local police officers rushed to the scene to find a residential structure fully engulfed in flames. Due to the intensity of the blaze, a second-alarm response was initiated to bring the fire under control. Witnesses at the scene reported seeing Thorington fleeing the property shortly before the fire became visible.

Assault and Attempted Robbery

While emergency crews were battling the blaze, another call came in at 11:41 a.m. reporting a physical disturbance at a local business located in the 2800 block of Commercial Street SE. Police arrived to find that Thorington had confronted a business employee, demanding the keys to their vehicle. When the employee refused, Thorington physically assaulted them before fleeing the scene on foot.

Apprehension by Off-Duty Sergeant and Bystanders

Thorington's run from the law was short-lived. A Marion County Sheriff's Office sergeant, who happened to be in the immediate vicinity, observed the suspect fleeing the business. With the assistance of two public bystanders, the sergeant successfully pursued and detained Thorington near the scene of the assault.

Thorington was transported to the Salem Police Department for questioning, where investigators reported that he confessed to starting the residential fire and committing the attempted robbery. Furthermore, during the investigation, detectives discovered probable cause to arrest Thorington for prior, unrelated domestic violence incidents.

Legal Charges

Following his interrogation, Ethan Thorington was booked into the Marion County Jail. He has been charged with First-Degree Arson, Third-Degree Robbery, Fourth-Degree Assault, domestic violence-related Menacing and Strangulation, and two counts of Reckless Endangering.