A Tesla dealership in Mesa faced a potential arson attack, with emergency services responding to a fire report around 2:00 a.m. Monday, as detailed by ABC15. Upon arrival, the crews discovered a vehicle ablaze near the building. However, firefighters were quick to douse flames, preventing further damage to other vehicles or the dealership's interior.
The investigation into this incident has brought together the Mesa Fire and Medical Department, Gilbert Fire and Rescue, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, and the ATF, according to ABC15. While suspected of arson, no injuries have been reported. It was also noted that the word "THIEF," was found graffitied on the building's exterior.
This case may be part of a larger trend, as Tesla dealerships and vehicles across the nation, from Seattle to South Carolina, have faced similar acts of vandalism and fires. The context of these attacks finds footing in a 71% profit drop and a 9% revenue fall in Tesla's first quarter, along with Elon Musk's political affiliations and engagements with the Trump administration, reported by 12 News.
Respective authorities are prodding through this knotty issue, and as it stands, links to other incidents around the country have not been confirmed. However, previous reactions by President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi, who labeled these incidents as "nothing short of domestic terrorism," indicate the gravity with which such acts of vandalism and potential arson are being considered. In an earlier case, a 19-year-old is currently facing charges for arson at a Tesla Center in Kansas City, signaling how Tesla-centric crimes are escalating both in incidence and in the severity of legal repercussions.
