Suspect arrested for allegedly torching Cybertruck at East Valley Tesla dealership

PHOENIX – A suspect was arrested Monday for allegedly starting an early-morning fire at a Mesa Tesla dealership, authorities said.

Ian Moses, 35, is accused of burning a new Cybertruck outside the dealership at 7444 E. Hampton Ave., near Southern Avenue and Sossaman Road, according to the Mesa Police Department.

Officers and firefighters were dispatched to the scene around 2 a.m. after callers reported hearing an explosion and seeing smoke and flames in the area, police said.

Crews found a new Cybertruck on fire directly against the building, authorities said. Firefighters contained the flames to the vehicle.

According to ABC15, the word “THEIF” (sic) was painted on the wall of the building.

A joint probe involving local and federal authorities was launched, with investigators from the Mesa Fire and Medical Department, Gilbert Fire and Rescue Department, Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

During the investigation, officers noticed a suspicious van parked across Southern Avenue from the crime scene.

As they were watching the van, Moses rode up to it on a bicycle and opened the door.

Investigators then used photo evidence provided by the Tesla Security Center to connect Moses to the fire, police said.

The suspect was booked into jail on one count of arson.

Tesla dealership vandalism becoming more common

Tesla facilities and vehicles have been increasingly targeted by vandals since President Donald Trump empowered Elon Musk to oversee widespread spending cuts with the new Department of Government Efficiency.

The FBI last month created a task force to coordinate investigate efforts around the attacks with ATF officials.

Earlier this month, the Justice Department charged a man with vandalizing a Tesla dealership in New Mexico and setting fire to the headquarters of the state Republican Party.

The arrest was part of a federal crackdown on what Attorney General Pam Bondi has described as a wave of domestic terrorism against property carrying the logo of billionaire Musk’s electric-car company.

Bondi has suggested prosecutors will make no plea deals with those charged in the Tesla attacks.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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