Arrest Made in Colorado's Tesla Damage Incident
The investigation into a series of attacks on a Tesla store in Loveland, Colorado, has expanded beyond local authorities, with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the FBI now assisting in the probe.
The suspect in these attacks, identified as 40-year-old Lucy Grace Nelson, was taken into custody on Monday. At the time of her arrest, materials consistent with previous attacks, such as spray paint cans, gasoline, and bottles with cloth wicks, were found in her vehicle.
The attacks on the Tesla store in Loveland included attempted arson and vandalism, with graffiti defacing the store's facade and carrying messages critical of Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk. The police initially responded to an arson attempt at the store in early February, and the store has been targeted in multiple incidents since January 29, with acts ranging from graffiti defacement to the use of Molotov cocktails.
The incendiary devices discovered during the arson attempt in early February were capable of causing significant damage. Court documents detailing the damages caused by Nelson's actions have been made available, estimating the damages to be between $5,000 and $20,000.
Nelson was booked into the Larimer County Jail on multiple felony charges, including use of explosives or incendiary devices during a felony, criminal mischief targeting a business, and criminal attempt to commit a class 3 felony. She posted a $100,000 cash surety bond and was released from custody.
The Loveland Police Department (LPD) launched an investigation in late January due to multiple incidents of property damage at the Tesla location. The FBI is also involved in investigating the incidents of break-in and vandalism at the Tesla charging station in Loveland.
Nelson's court appearance is scheduled for March 7 at 8:30 a.m. Additional federal charges may be filed against her, as suggested by the ATF's involvement in the investigation, which may be related to the use of incendiary devices. The investigation into the attacks on the Tesla store in Loveland continues to be open.
