Person alleged to have vandalized Tesla dealership arrested with 'incendiary devices'
Person alleged to have vandalized Tesla dealership arrested with 'incendiary devices'
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Tesla tumbles below $1 trillion value
For the first time since November, Tesla is worth less than $1 trillion. The firm's stock tumbled 8% after new figures showed sales have slumped in Europe.
DENVER ‒ Police in Colorado have arrested a person they say repeatedly vandalized and set fire to a Tesla dealership ‒ and say they caught her Monday with more "incendiary devices" outside the same dealership.
The attacks on the dealership are among the latest in a growing trend of ire directed at Tesla vehicles and company CEO Elon Musk, a lightning rod for his alliance with President Donald Trump.
Some Tesla drivers, particularly Cybertruck drivers, have reported road-rage incidents and vandalism directed at them, but this arrest about an hour northwest of Denver appears to be among the first to draw significant criminal charges.
Loveland Police announced they arrested the suspect around midnight on Monday. Federal ATF agents are also assisting in the investigation that started earlier this year when someone smashed windows, painted Cybertruck windshields with large red Xs and tried to start a fire. Local media reported that someone at that time also painted "Nazi Cars" at the dealership about an hour northwest of Denver.
"These incidents were not only unlawful, dangerous, and unsettling, they also created an atmosphere of discomfort and worry," Loveland Police spokesman Chris Padgett. "Those who work at the business, along with those living in the community, have had to deal with such concerns since the first incident on January 29th.
Police said the suspect goes by the names Lucy Grace Nelson and Justin Thomas Nelson.
Padgett said federal charges are likely forthcoming. Nelson faces Colorado charges of using explosives or incendiary devices while committing a felony, along with criminal mischief. They are free on a $100,000 bond but it was unclear whether they have an attorney.
Musk has rapidly become a target of anger by left-wing activists following his decision last year to endorse Trump for president. Musk now runs Trump's "Department of Government Efficiency" and has been scything through federal agencies to cut staff and spending, although courts have blocked some of those efforts.
On Monday, social media content creator and car salesman Russell Richardson posted a video showing how two customers traded in Teslas because they were upset with Musk, a trend he said reflected what "a lot of people" are doing.
"They felt a certain way and they were willing to put their money where their mouth was, and get rid of the product they were driving to get something else," said Richardson, who posts as 'Russ Flips Whips.' "Not too many people can say that. These two people felt strongly about what Elon Musk was doing and they did not agree with him."
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