Man accused of setting fire to Tesla vehicles in Las Vegas arrested, booked on 10 felony charges

LAS VEGAS (KVVU/Gray News) - Authorities in Las Vegas say they have arrested a man accused of shooting and setting Tesla vehicles on fire from earlier this month.

Paul Kim, 36, made his first federal court appearance Thursday afternoon.

Kim was arrested this week and booked on 10 felony charges and five misdemeanors, including arson and unlawful possession of a firearm.

FBI Special Agent Spencer Evans and Sheriff Kevin McMahill announced at a press conference Thursday the charges Kim is facing.

According to authorities, Kim was seen on camera setting fire to Teslas at a collision center in the south part of town on March 18.

The fire was contained to two Teslas while three other vehicles were damaged by the nearby flames.

During an investigation, detectives determined that Kim used Molotov cocktails and an AR-style gun.

Police said Kim was also seen on surveillance cameras spray painting “resist” on the front of the building.

Additionally, a criminal complaint revealed that the 36-year-old attempted to report that his vehicle had been stolen three hours before the crime and had a plane ticket to Phoenix to “speak with his lawyer.”

When police began asking Kim about the Tesla fires, he refused to answer further questions, authorities said.

Previously, the Trump administration had said it would federally charge those who tamper with Tesla vehicles.

Kim is due back in federal court Friday afternoon.