A 19-year-old college student, Owen McIntire, has now reportedly been arrested for allegedly setting fire to two Cybertrucks at a Tesla Center in Kansas City using homemade Molotov cocktails.
The Justice Department announced the charges, which include unlawful possession of an unregistered destructive device and malicious damage by fire to property involved in interstate commerce.
The FBI identified McIntire through surveillance footage and cell phone data. He is a student at the University of Massachusetts Boston and reportedly committed the arson while on spring break.
The incident occurred on March 17 when a police officer spotted smoke near the Tesla showroom. Although the officer extinguished the flames outside one Cybertruck, it was too late to save both vehicles, each valued at over $100,000.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi warned potential offenders, stating, “You will not evade us. You will be arrested.
You will be prosecuted. You will spend decades behind bars. It is not worth it.”
The FBI is treating attacks on Tesla facilities as acts of domestic terrorism, citing a pattern of vandalism and arson linked to backlash against Elon Musk’s government initiatives.
This arrest marks the second this week related to Tesla incidents.
Earlier, 40-year-old Jamison Wagner was arrested for arson attacks on the Republican Party headquarters and a Tesla showroom in New Mexico, potentially facing 40 years in prison if convicted.
FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized the seriousness of these acts, stating, “These actions are dangerous, they are illegal, and we are going to arrest those responsible.”
The FBI’s swift actions reflect their commitment to tackling such destructive behavior, sending a strong message to would-be offenders.
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