Loveland police arrested another person in connection to a series of attempted arsons and vandalisms at a Tesla dealership in the city, even as the city’s police chief expressed exasperation that the first suspect had been released on a bond. 

Officers arrested 23-year-old Cooper Jo Frederick on Thursday on suspicion of second-degree arson, usage and possession of explosives or incendiary devices during a felony, criminal mischief and criminal attempt to commit a felony, according to a news release from the Loveland Police Department. 

The arrest comes in connection to a March 7 incident at the Tesla dealership at 1606 N. Lincoln Ave., where someone threw and ignited an “incendiary device” at the building, landing between two vehicles before quickly being extinguished.

Police arrested 40-year-old Lucy Grace Nelson — the Department of Justice said Nelson is also known as Justin Thomas Nelson — on Feb. 24 after the suspect allegedly vandalized vehicles and threw another incendiary device at the business multiple times since Jan. 29.

The police confronted Nelson at the dealership on Feb. 24, where evidence of gasoline, empty bottles and other items were found in the suspect’s car.

There have now been five attempted arsons at the dealership since the end of January, according to the police department. Previous incidents occurred on Jan. 29, Feb. 2, Feb. 7, Feb. 24 and March 7. 

On Feb. 7, vehicles in Loveland appeared to have a red X spray painted across their windshields, while glass at the dealership building had the words “NAZI CARS” spray painted on it.

Following the arrest and release of Nelson on bond, Police Chief Tim Doran expressed frustration.

“I couldn’t be more disappointed with a criminal justice system that would release an individual on a PR bond from federal charges,” Doran said in a news release. “It’s incredibly challenging to keep our citizens safe from copycat behavior when there are no repercussions to lawlessness.”

Nelson faces a federal charge of malicious destruction of property, filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado, which could result in a conviction of up to 20 years in prison. The suspect pleaded not guilty this week.

Chris Padgett, spokesperson for the Loveland Police Department, told The Denver Gazette Friday: “As far as what we are doing to combat copycat behavior, the answer is working relentlessly on these cases to ensure that criminal behavior is investigated, and apprehension takes place of those doing such terrible crimes.”

“Those thinking of committing such behavior will be aware that our department will never willingly allow such victimization,” Padgett said. 

Denver metro area incidents

The attempted arsons and vandalisms are among crimes throughout the Denver metro area that apparently target Tesla after Elon Musk, the company’s CEO, became an advisor to President Donald Trump, who has tasked him with helping the efforts of the Department of Government Efficiency earlier this year.

The Tesla dealership in Littleton on South Broadway saw two Cybertrucks vandalized on March 8 during a protest, according to the Littleton Police Department. The department said it plans to increase security near the dealership on Saturday for another planned protest.

In a similar set of incidents, The Kitchen restaurant at 1039 Pearl St. in Boulder has received two called-in bomb threats since January.

The restaurant chain is co-owned by Kimbal Musk, Elon Musk’s brother.

Boulder police were first called to the restaurant for a bomb threat over the phone on Jan. 23. They were then called again on March 12 around 7 p.m., according to a police spokesperson.

No arrests have been made.

Insofar as vandalism, arson or other attacks targeting Tesla owners, both the Aurora and Denver police departments told The Denver Gazette they have not seen an influx of reports since the beginning of the year.

But there have been vandalism reports regarding Teslas, the Denver police said, though authorities don’t consider them a trend or targeted attack. They include things like broken windows or dented doors, the police said. 

Other national incidents

Authorities have tracked crimes directed at Tesla across the country. 

On Jan. 20, a man allegedly threw Molotov cocktails at a Tesla dealership in Salem, Oregon.

The first arson incident in Loveland occurred a few days later on Jan. 29.

The Salem dealership was then struck again, this time with bullets, on Feb. 19. A man allegedly shot at the dealership, breaking windows. He was later arrested. 

Between March 2 and Thursday, multiple dealerships throughout the country were either vandalized or struck with incendiary devices in Maryland, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Oregon and Washington, according to the Associated Press. 

The most recent incident occurred on Thursday, when a suspect allegedly fired shots at a dealership in Tigard, Oregon for the second time in a week.

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel on Wednesday, asking them to investigate a “wave of organized attacks” targeting Elon Musk and Tesla. 

In the letter, Greene said the recent attacks were “coordinated acts of vandalism, arson, and other acts of violence” targeting Tesla and Musk and “seriously threaten public safety.”

The Denver Gazette reached out to Tesla for comment but has not received a response.

The Associated Press and the Washington Examiner contributed to this report.