Brade
In a dramatic early-morning incident, police in Mesa, Arizona, apprehended a suspected arsonist after a newly delivered Tesla Cybertruck was set ablaze at a local Tesla dealership. The Mesa Police Department responded to reports of an explosion at the Tesla Service Center just before 2:00 a.m. on Monday, April 28. Witnesses observed smoke and flames emanating from the vehicle, prompting an immediate investigation.
Footage from Fox News affiliate KSAZ-TV captured federal and state law enforcement officials securing the scene after the fire was extinguished. The suspect, identified as IAN MOSES, 35, allegedly wrote “THEIF” (sic) on the side of the dealership before igniting the Cybertruck. Video evidence showcased the charred remains of the electric truck as investigators conducted their assessment. No injuries were reported.
During the investigation, officers noticed a suspicious van parked nearby. As a man on a bicycle approached and opened the van’s door, authorities intervened and identified him as the suspect. Security photos from the Tesla Service Center confirmed MOSES’s involvement in the incident. He was subsequently arrested and charged with one count of arson of a structure and property.
The Mesa Police Department confirmed they are working with federal authorities, and additional charges against MOSES are anticipated as the investigation progresses. This incident is part of a broader wave of targeted attacks on Tesla properties nationwide, driven by activists protesting ELON MUSK’s affiliations.
Recent months have seen a surge in Tesla-related vandalism across the country. In Minnesota, a man is accused of causing $20,000 in damage to Tesla vehicles. In Florida, surveillance footage captured suspects ramming through a dealership gate and stealing a Tesla. Meanwhile, a Las Vegas man is facing federal charges for attacking a Tesla dealership.
In March, Attorney General PAM BONDI emphasized the severity of these attacks, labeling them as “domestic terrorism” and vowing to pursue federal charges against those involved. Officials have called on the public to provide any additional information related to the Mesa arson case.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Mesa Police Department and Tesla Inc. for comment.
[Source: Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com) | [KSAZ-TV](https://www.ksaz.com)
