A 24-year-old Fort Collins man was arrested on suspicion of arson, possessing explosives and other charges after police found an “incendiary device” in a fire outside a Loveland Tesla store earlier in March.
Cooper Jo Frederick was arrested Thursday on five felony charges, including arson, possession of explosives or incendiary devices, using explosives during a felony, criminal mischief and attempt to commit a felony for the March 7 fire, the Loveland Police Department said in a news release Friday.
Frederick is the second person charged in connection with a string of arson and vandalism reported at the Tesla dealership at 1606 N. Lincoln Ave.
Lucy Grace Nelson, 40, of Lyons was arrested Jan. 29 on suspicion of 12 felonies, including two counts of arson, possessing explosives or incendiary devices, and criminal mischief, according to court records. Her next court date was not available Friday.
Nelson was also indicted by a federal grand jury on March 5 on charges of possessing an unregistered firearm and attempting to damage or destroy vehicles used in interstate commerce. A jury trial in U.S. District Court in Denver is set for May 5.
No federal charges were filed against Frederick as of Friday afternoon, according to court records.
The Colorado cases echo similar crimes at Tesla stores across the country as co-founder Elon Musk faces backlash over his role as a senior adviser to President Donald Trump and leader of the Department of Government Efficiency, which has slashed federal jobs and funding.
Trump this week said violence against Tesla stores would be labeled domestic terrorism and those who perpetrated the crimes would “go through hell,” according to Reuters.
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