Cybertruck arson suspect had handwritten map of Tesla dealership: court documents
Suspect in Tesla arson had handwritten notes
Authorities say 35-year-old Ian Moses had handwritten notes on the Tesla dealership before he set fire to a Cybertruck with the use of fire starter logs.
MESA, Ariz. - We're learning more about the man suspected of setting a Cybertruck on fire at an East Valley Tesla dealership.
The backstory:
The incident happened early Monday morning in Mesa, near Sossaman Road and Southern Avenue. Police say they responded to the scene after receiving reports of an explosion.
"Additional callers reported smoke and flames coming from an area near the building, which ultimately was found to be a brand-new Tesla Cybertruck," police said.
Firefighters responded to the scene and quickly put out the flames.
No injuries were reported.
Video from the scene showed the misspelled word "thief" painted on the side of a building.
A fire at a Mesa Tesla dealership is being investigated as possible arson, police said. Video from the scene showed the misspelled word "thief" painted on the side of a building.
Suspect found nearby, arrested
During their investigation, police say officers noticed a suspicious van parked nearby. Officers observed a bicyclist riding up to the van and opening the door.
The bicyclist was contacted by police and identified as 35-year-old Ian Moses.
"The Tesla Security Center provided photo evidence of the arson suspect and officers were able to match the photo to Moses," police said.
Moses was arrested and booked into jail. He's accused of arson.
The man accused of burning a Cybertruck in Mesa Tallegedly had a handwritten map of the Tesla dealership. (KSAZ-TV; United States District Court for the District of Arizona)
Suspect had map, used fire starter logs: court docs
Dig deeper:
According to court documents, Moses was caught on video at the dealership carrying a backpack and a red plastic gas container.
"During the videos, the male placed what appeared to be fire starter logs next to three areas on the outside wall of the subject Tesla dealership," court documents read.
(U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Arizona)
Shortly after, Moses allegedly poured liquid from the gas container onto the fire starter logs, the dealership wall and the Cybertruck.
"At approximately 1:38 a.m., it appears that the male then used a lighter device to ignite the starter logs; leading a fire that engulfed the silver Cybertruck," court documents read.
Authorities also said Moses was captured on video running from the Cybertruck and leaving the scene on a bicycle.
Following his arrest, police say officers found a backpack in Moses' van that matched the backpack that was seen on video. Inside the backpack, police say they found a black mask, a red gas can, a lighter and a black can of spray paint.
A handwritten map of the dealership was also found.
"The handwritten map depicted the location of the subject Tesla dealership as a box with a letter ‘T’," court documents read.
(U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Arizona)
Suspect indicted on federal charges
Cybertruck arson suspect indicted on federal charges
A federal grand jury indicted 35-year-old Ian Moses on five counts of maliciously damaging property and vehicles in interstate commerce by means of fire. Police say Moses lit a Cybertruck on fire at a Mesa Tesla dealership near Sossaman Road and Southern Avenue. Investigators say Moses poured gas onto starter logs and lit them on fire, igniting the Cybertruck. The flames did not spread to any other vehicles. No one was hurt.
What's next:
On April 29, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that federal charges would be brought against Moses.
"Today we are pleased to announce federal charges against a Tesla attacker arrested in Arizona," Bondi wrote on X. "If you engage in domestic terrorism, this Department of Justice will find you, follow the facts, and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law. No negotiating."
Moses was indicted by a grand jury on five counts of maliciously damaging property and vehicles in interstate commerce by means of fire.
Each count of conviction carries a minimum penalty of five years and up to a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, authorities said.
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