
Law enforcement officials have apprehended a 40-year-old woman alleged to have vandalized a Tesla dealership by spray painting “Nazi cars” and launching Molotov cocktails at vehicles on-site, part of an ongoing protest against CEO Elon Musk.
According to a press release from the Loveland Police Department in Colorado, authorities arrested Lucy Grace Nelson—previously known as Justin Thomas Nelson—just before midnight on Monday.
Reports indicate that she returned to the Tesla dealership equipped with additional explosive devices and vandalism supplies.
At least four vehicles, collectively valued at around $220,000, were targeted with homemade explosive devices created from empty liquor bottles, as detailed in the arrest affidavit.
Upon her arrest, authorities discovered spray paint cans, gasoline, empty bottles, and cloth pieces potentially saturated with accelerants inside her vehicle.
Authorities are also exploring the possibility that an accomplice may have been involved in the series of vandalism incidents, as noted by Police Information Officer Chris Padgett.
The investigation into Nelson’s motivations is ongoing. However, Padgett mentioned that targeting Tesla owner Musk is “a plausible motive.”
Nelson faces charges related to the use of explosive devices, criminal mischief, and attempted felony actions.
After her booking, Nelson was assigned a $100,000 cash bond. She did post bond and was subsequently released from jail on Tuesday, as confirmed by Padgett.
Law enforcement is collaborating with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, indicating that federal charges may soon follow.
The Loveland Tesla dealership had been subject to three previous incidents of vandalism and the discovery of explosive devices since January before this arrest took place, according to police reports.
Further details regarding the specific explosive devices are expected to be provided by federal authorities in the near future, Padgett stated.
Cars on the dealership lot, as well as the building, were marked with graffiti characterized as “highly offensive” and “derogatory,” Padgett informed Fox News.
Numerous Tesla showrooms across the nation have experienced protests, and some owners of Tesla vehicles have reported incidents of vandalism.
Meanwhile, the #TeslaTakedown movement—featuring its own dedicated website—encourages shareholders to divest their Tesla investments and urges car owners to sell their vehicles.
According to Alex Winter, known for his role in “Bill & Ted,” who organizes the movement, there have been widespread demonstrations at over 100 Tesla dealerships, as he highlighted in a Rolling Stone op-ed.
