The Tesla vandalism spree has slowed down but it hasn’t stopped. Earlier this week a man in Mesa, Arizona carried out another arson attack at a Tesla dealership. The culprit was arrested a short time later and is facing federal charges.
Today, a federal grand jury in Phoenix returned a five-count indictment against Ian William Moses, 35, of Mesa, Arizona for Maliciously Damaging Property and Vehicles in Interstate Commerce by Means of Fire.
The charging documents filed in the case allege that Moses was at the Tesla dealership in Mesa shortly before 2 a.m. on Monday, April 28, wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt, tan ballcap, grey pants, black boots, and a black mask. He also carried a red plastic gas can and a black backpack. While in the Tesla parking lot, Moses was captured on video as he placed fire starter logs next to the dealership building. Moses then poured gasoline onto the starter logs, the building, and three Tesla vehicles. At around 1:38 a.m., Moses ignited the starter logs, causing a fire that destroyed a silver Tesla Cybertruck. Video shows Moses leaving the dealership on a dark colored bicycle shortly thereafter.
Mesa police officers arrested Moses approximately a quarter mile from the Tesla dealership at around 3 a.m., still dressed in the same clothes as he was seen wearing at the scene. After his arrest, officers found a hand drawn map of the area in Moses’ pocket, which included a box with the letter “T” marking the dealership’s location.
Moses left a message at the dealership where he set the fire. It was only one word but he managed to misspell it.
NEW: Police in Arizona have arrested a suspect in connection with an arson attack targeting a newly delivered Cybertruck.
Ian Moses, the alleged arsonist, reportedly torched the new Tesla vehicle and wrote the word “THEIF” on the side of the nearby building.
Democrats and the… pic.twitter.com/tTI9OGUJXi
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) April 29, 2025
Moses is being charged with five counts of Malicious Damage to Property. If convicted, he’ll get a minimum of 5 years for each count.
Moses is the 7th person facing federal charges for vandalizing a Tesla. The sixth person, who was charged earlier this month, is 19-year-old Kansas City college student Owen McIntire.
McIntire was back home in K.C. for spring break last month when he’s accused of using a Molotov cocktail to light a grey Cybertruck on fire. The blaze spread to a second Cybertruck in the lot. The Kansas City Fire Department responded to the scene to extinguish the fire.
The Cybertrucks had sale prices of $105,485 and $107,485. Also, two charging stations were damaged by the fire, each of which is valued at about $550.
He was charged with one count of unlawful possession of an unregistered destructive device, and one count of malicious damage by fire of any property used in interstate commerce.
McIntire was just released from pre-trial detention. His attorney argued that he needed ongoing gender affirming care.
BREAKING: Judge releases suspected Tesla firebomber citing ADHD and no access to “gender-affirming care” pic.twitter.com/oKB9nzNgOL
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) April 30, 2025
With the attack in Mesa, this means at least 12 states have seen attacks at Tesla locations. But that’s probably just scratching the surface (pun intended). A company that helps people find car insurance did a survey which found 2 in 5 Tesla owners had reported vandalism of their vehicles.
One more this week. This one happened in Carson, CA. As per usual the dummy was caught on video.
Does anyone recognize this Tesla vandal in California??
Make him famous! pic.twitter.com/eieGWWaDy1
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) April 29, 2025
It looks like this guy hasn’t been caught yet. Stay tuned as I’ll probably be posting another update next week.
