Police in Las Vegas have apprehended 36-year-old Paul Hyon Kim, who has been charged in connection with a series of assaults on Tesla vehicles at a service center. The incident, which occurred on March 18, involved the destruction of at least five Tesla vehicles and was marked by the spray painting of the word "RESIST" on the premises, according to officials.

Kim faces both state and federal charges including arson, possession of an explosive device, and discharging a firearm into a vehicle. He was taken into custody and is now in federal custody, where he awaits further legal proceedings. This attack is one of a growing number of similar incidents targeting Tesla properties across the United States, stemming from increasing tensions surrounding CEO Elon Musk's political engagement, particularly his association with President Trump.

During a news conference, Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill confirmed that Kim had been captured on security video dressed in black, painting anti-establishment phrases and using Molotov cocktails and an assault-style firearm to execute the vandalism. The assault has been characterized by authorities as having "the hallmarks of terrorism," raising concerns over escalating violence against Tesla and other automotive facilities linked to Musk's leadership.

In a statement, the Department of Justice underscored that participants in these violent attacks could face severe legal repercussions. US Attorney General Pam Bondi highlighted the government's commitment to prosecuting those engaged in domestic terrorism targeting Tesla properties, emphasizing that such actions would not go unpunished. “We will continue to find, arrest, and prosecute these attackers until the lesson is learned,” she stated.

This incident is part of a concerning trend that has seen instances of vandalism against Tesla facilities increase, particularly in states with strong political divides. Other recent attacks have included numerous incidents across Oregon, Colorado, and South Carolina, reflecting a broader sentiment against Tesla and its operations.

For further details, see the reports from CBS News, HuffPost, and India Times.