Man arrested after setting Tesla Cybertruck on fire in Arizona

In Arizona, on the morning of April 29, 2025, local police arrested a man reportedly named Ian Moses for allegedly committing arson at a Tesla dealership. The incident involved setting a newly delivered Tesla Cybertruck on fire, which was captured on surveillance footage around 2 a.m. Officers responding to reports of smoke and flames found Moses near the scene. Witnesses revealed that he had vandalized the dealership by spray painting the word 'THEIF' on its wall prior to setting the vehicle ablaze. Fortunately, no injuries were reported from this act of vandalism and arson. Following the arrest, federal charges were filed against Moses, adding to his initial charge of arson of a structure and property. This incident comes amid a concerning trend of violent acts targeting Tesla properties in the United States, as several other incidents have been reported where individuals attacked Tesla dealerships in apparent protests against Elon Musk's affiliations with controversial political movements. Attorney General Pam Bondi condemned the act, labeling it domestic terrorism and promising thorough investigations into these occurrences. As investigations continue, local and federal authorities are working closely together to explore the circumstances surrounding this arson. The Mesa Police Department identified Moses through security footage and subsequently located him next to a suspicious vehicle nearby. It is crucial to note that this type of targeted violence is not isolated, as activists have been increasingly vocal in opposing Musk and his companies. Furthermore, the overall increase in these types of crimes raises concerns not just for safety but also for the broader implications regarding civil discourse in the context of political disagreements. Authorities are determined to impose severe consequences on those involved in such attacks, emphasizing the necessity for law enforcement to address the climate surrounding these acts. This event marks just one in a series of hostile actions targeting Tesla, drawing attention to the ongoing discourse surrounding corporate entities and their leadership in today's political environment.