Austin police responded to a call involving hazardous materials at a Tesla dealership on the morning of Mar. 24. Officers discovered incendiary devices and secured them without injuries, according to officials.
Authorities said the call came in at about 8:04 a.m. Officers arrived at the dealership and found what they described as “suspicious devices.”
“When officers arrived on scene, they located suspicious devices, and called the APD Bomb Squad to investigate. The devices, which were determined to be incendiary, were taken into police custody without incident,” the Austin Police Department (APD) said in a statement.
Police noted that the investigation is ongoing.
“This is an open and ongoing investigation, and there is no further information available for release at this time,” the APD statement reads.
“The FBI is working with our law enforcement partners to investigate a number of recent incidents in which Tesla charging stations and dealerships were damaged,” an FBI spokesperson told The Epoch Times in an email on Monday. “Incidents have occurred in several states and the FBI is coordinating with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to gather information.”
The agency said it would like to remind the public that if they observe anything suspicious or have information about potential threats, they should report it to local law enforcement, their local FBI field office, or the agency’s tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
Investigators have observed nationwide incidents involving firearms, graffiti, and improvised incendiary devices. Officials have indicated that the alleged perpetrators may be targeting Tesla vehicles and properties due to political grievances.
While the FBI didn’t explicitly mention Tesla CEO Elon Musk, several incidents around the country have been linked to a backlash against Musk’s work serving as an adviser to President Donald Trump and front man for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The bureau has urged the public to remain alert and to report any suspicious activity or threats against Tesla locations.
Federal authorities charged three individuals in connection with attacks against Tesla dealerships earlier this month. According to the Department of Justice, the suspects face five to 20 years in prison if found guilty.
Officials said one person was taken into custody in Salem, Oregon, after throwing Molotov cocktails at a local Tesla dealership. Another suspect was arrested in Loveland, Colorado, for allegedly trying to set vehicles on fire, while a third individual, in Charleston, South Carolina, was detained on suspicion of spraying anti-government messages before igniting Tesla property.
Musk has stated online that the company has stepped up security measures at dealerships, activating a “Sentry Mode” on all vehicles.
The FBI, San Antonio, and the Texas attorney general’s office did not respond to requests for comment from The Epoch Times before publication time.
