A Las Vegas man was charged with a Molotov cocktail attack that torched several Teslas at a dealer last week.
Paul Hion Kim, 36, was arrested Wednesday by the Metropolitan Police Department in Las Vegas after at least five cars allegedly launched a fire at his local Tesla Clash Center on March 18th.
According to prison records, Kim is charged with multiple crimes, including property destruction, arson and possession of fire equipment.
FBI launches task force to crack down on violent Tesla attacks and reduces threats
Paul Hion Kim, 36, is charged with bombing several Tesla vehicles at a dealership in Las Vegas. (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police)
He will also face federal accusations, Spencer Evans, an FBI agent at the department's Las Vegas office, told reporters at a news briefing Thursday.
“There's nothing brave or noble about bombing private property and terrorizing your community,” Evans said. “The self-righteous mob cheering you today to engage in violence on their behalf will make you dry up tomorrow and forget about you. And at the end of the day, you and you will be the only one to be responsible and face the prospect of a long prison sentence.”
Tesla 'Sentry Mode' Busts Attackers, and how the owner can enable it
Police say Kim arrived near the location of the black Hyundai Elantra before walking to the Tesla building. He was said to have hidden his face and wore gloves and black clothes.
Five Tesla vehicles were set on fire and were shot dead on March 18th at a local repair center in Las Vegas where police are investigating it as a “target attack.” (Hal Sparks via Storyful)
He also reportedly damaged a surveillance camera with his rifle, police said.
The word “resistance” was spray painted on the front entrance of the Tesla Center. Police said Molotov cocktails were found in one vehicle.
Officials said Kim's social media activities provided potential links between communist groups and the Palestinian cause. His DNA was consistent with DNA samples collected at the scene of the attack, authorities said.
Investigators searched the two vehicles linked to Kim and his apartment, and found multiple firearms, including rifles, shotgun handguns, gun parts and ammunition.
Authorities are investigating the possibility of an arson attack involving Molotov cocktails at five Teslas at a Las Vegas crash center on March 18th. (Souphany Vannavong via Storyful)
Click here to get the Fox News app
Several attacks on Tesla dealers and factories have been reported in recent weeks, many of which revolve around opponents of the Trump administration, his role in the electric vehicle company, and his role in his work with the administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
In response, the FBI launched a task force to crack down on violent attacks. The group was created in conjunction with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) to coordinate investigative activities.
