Person-of-interest sought in Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Hall arsons

Officials are asking for the public’s help identifying a person of interest who may have information about recent crimes targeting Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Halls in Thurston County.

Around 4:45 p.m. on May 29, authorities say a man purchased the same type of fire logs from a Tumwater Fred Meyer that were used to start a fire at a Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Hall in Olympia on July 3, 2018.

Authorities say the person of interest was wearing a dark coat and jeans, along with a distinctive Seattle Seahawks cap. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent Darek Pleasants said the man is a person of interest and not a suspect at this time.

Police are also looking for the owner or driver of a dark colored 2017 Jeep Renegade that was captured on security footage near the Olympia Kingdom Hall the night of the July 3 fire.

The arson is one of three recent fires at Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Halls. Authorities believe the fires are also related to a May 15 shooting of a Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Hall in Yelm that caused more than $10,000 in damage.

The Sheriff's Office considers the shooting a hate crime, although ATF says it's too early to say if the arsons were also a hate crime.

Related: 2nd fire scorches Olympia Jehovah’s Witness Hall since March

The ATF, the Arson Alarm Foundation, and Crimestoppers are offering a $36,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person, or persons, responsible.

“We believe that these recent incidents that occurred in the Jehovah’s Witnesses community were meant to send a message,” Pleasants said during a press conference.

WATCH: Surveillance video of church arson in Thurston County

Officials believe the person, or persons, involved in the crimes are male and may have a grievance against the Jehovah’s Witnesses community.

Pleasants said those responsible may have communicated their feelings or threats to others around them and possibly changed their appearance after the attacks.

If you have any information, please call ATF’s toll-free hotline at 888ATF-TIPS (283-8477), Crime Stoppers of South Sound at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or the Arson Alarm Foundation at 1-800-55-ARSON (-27766)