What we know: The Mesa Police Department says officers responded just before 2 a.m. on April 28 to a Tesla dealership near Sossaman Road and Southern Avenue for reports of an explosion.
"Additional callers reported smoke and flames coming from an area near the building, which ultimately was found to be a brand-new Tesla Cybertruck," police said.
Firefighters responded to the scene to extinguish the flames.
"As crews began their attack on the vehicle fire additional crews made entry to the building to check the interior for smoke and heat," the department said. "The fire was contained to the vehicle on the exterior of the building."
Video from the scene showed the misspelled word "thief" painted on the side of a building.
No injuries were reported.
During their investigation, police say officers noticed a suspicious van parked nearby. Officers observed a bicyclist riding up to the van and opening the door.
The bicyclist was contacted by police and identified as 35-year-old Ian Moses.
"The Tesla Security Center provided photo evidence of the arson suspect and officers were able to match the photo to Moses," police said.
Moses was arrested and booked into jail. He's accused of arson.
What's next: Police are working with federal authorities on the investigation.
Dig deeper: Multiple investigations have taken place following recent Tesla vandalism incidents nationwide.
A Minnesota man accused of causing $20,000 damage to Tesla vehicles was arrested. In Florida, video captured the moment when two suspects rammed through a gate and stole Teslas from a parking lot. A Las Vegas man faces federal charges in connection to attacks at a Tesla dealership. Last month, the FBI launched a task force following a series of attacks on Tesla vehicles at dealerships and charging stations across the country.
Calling another Feral District Judge skank! You’re up next! Here’s your pool boy.
Non Musk getaway car had the bumper sticker: "I Suport Publik Skools".
I suspect that the Tesla framed him.
The left now: We haven't burned enough Teslas!
They’re still doing this crap? Enough already. Sheesh.
I guess that MN court deciding not to prosecute the guy who allegedly vandalized at least 4 Teslas sends the wrong message to people.
OK, this has to be said. Imagine a conservative setting fire to an EV as a form of a protest. The liberals would go crazy. Destroying vehicles, which will save the planet by polluting the planet, liberals would demand the death penalty!
“Tesla Security Center later provided photo evidence that linked him to the scene, police said”.
Suspect is 35 but no pic? Huh. I wonder why...
I saw one today parked at the local Home Depot. I’d seen them on the road but this was the first I’d got to walk around one.
Tesla DOES NOT make attractive cars, especially not as attractive as a car at that price point should be. All the other Teslas look like Fisher-Price made them but that ‘truck’ thing looks like a prop from an Ed Wood SciFi movie.
“Video from the scene showed the misspelled word “thief” painted on the side of a building.”
A strong indicator it was a leftist (had there been any doubt about that already).