Man accused of setting fire to Tesla vehicles in Las Vegas arrested, police say

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Authorities arrested Paul Hyon Kim, a 36-year-old man, for setting fire to Tesla vehicles in Las Vegas and leaving behind the word "resist" at the scene. The arrest was announced by police on Thursday, marking Kim's detention in both state and federal courts, with initial charges including arson, possession of an explosive device, and firing a weapon into a vehicle.

Alongside state charges, Kim faces federal accusations of unlawful possession of an unregistered firearm and arson, as detailed in a criminal complaint. He is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas later the same day. No attorney was listed in court records to speak on Kim's behalf.

Security footage revealed Kim, dressed in dark clothing and concealing his face, painting "resist" on the Tesla service center's doors before launching Molotov cocktails and firing multiple rounds into the vehicles on March 18. Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill confirmed that investigators are actively seeking a motive that may link this incident to a series of recent vandalism cases targeting Tesla properties across the nation.

These attacks have recently escalated, particularly since former President Trump's administration supported Elon Musk in overseeing a new government efficiency department. Significant incidents of violence against Tesla have been reported nationwide, with various arrests linked to similar vandalism, including Molotov cocktails thrown at dealerships in places such as Colorado and South Carolina.

Spencer Evans, special agent in charge of the Las Vegas FBI division, acknowledged the potential for the attacks to be politically motivated or terroristic in nature, highlighting factors like the vandalism's messaging and violent tactics. The investigation continues into the connections between these attacks and broader anti-Tesla sentiment, particularly in politically charged areas.