College Student Arrested for Allegedly Firebombing Missouri Tesla Dealership

A college student has been arrested for allegedly firebombing a Tesla dealership in Kansas City, Missouri.

According to a press release from the Department of Justice, Owen McIntire has been charged with one count of unlawful possession of an unregistered destructive device and one count of malicious damage by fire of any property used in interstate commerce.

On March 17, McIntire was reportedly visiting their Kansas City hometown for spring break when they parked a block away from the Tesla dealership. The complaint then said that the 19-year-old walked up to the dealership and threw a Molotov cocktail before fleeing in their car.

Police saw smoke emanating from a Cybertruck, and when they arrived at the scene, they found the incendiary device made of an apple cider vinegar bottle and a rag.

After speaking to witnesses and using footage where the suspect was seen wearing “dark flowy clothing and a large-brimmed hat” — ultimately finding DNA on it — the FBI located McIntire on the University of Massachusetts Boston campus and arrested them.

“Let me be extremely clear to anyone who still wants to firebomb a Tesla property: you will not evade us,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement. “You will be arrested. You will be prosecuted. You will spend decades behind bars. It is not worth it.”

The Tesla dealership apparently suffered over $200,000 in damages after McIntire lit two Cybertrucks and two charge stations on fire. McIntire made their first court appearance on Friday.

The teen is the second person to be arrested in connection with arson attacks at Tesla dealerships. According to NBC News, Jamison Wagner was arrested after setting the Republican Party headquarters and a Tesla dealership in New Mexico on fire.

Wagner faces two counts of causing malicious damage or destruction of property by fire or explosives, and could serve five to 20 years in prison for each count.