Police in Loveland, Colorado have arrested a suspect in connection with several “offensive and hateful” vandalism incidents involving incendiary devices at the local Tesla dealership. The suspect, who goes by the name Lucy Grace Nelson, is a biological male (formerly Justin Thomas Nelson). The alleged “trantifa” activist was arrested just before midnight on Monday after a weeks long investigation and “incorrectly booked” into the Larimer County Jail as a female, according to the Post Millennial’s Andy Ngo on X.
All the major media outlets, including the Denver Post, CBS News, ABC News, NBC News, CNN, and Fox News, are referring to Nelson as a woman in their reports.
Police launched the investigation on Jan. 29 after they found incendiary devices on the scene of the first vandalism incident, according to a Loveland Police press release.
Investigators said two more incidents occurred at the dealership on Feb. 2 and Feb. 7. Photos and video taken at the dealership after the Feb 7 incident showed several Cybertrucks and other Teslas with red X’s spray painted across the windshields, and graffiti on the building reading “NAZI CAR.” There was also reportedly broken glass in the lot and incendiary devices found on the scene.
Investigators said that Nelson, 42, returned to Tesla dealership Monday evening “while in possession of additional incendiary devices along with materials attributed to vandalism” and that detectives were able to apprehend him before more damage occurred.
The attacks came amid left-wing calls to boycott Tesla to protest what agitators reportedly call “Elon Musk’s moves to destroy our democracy.”
Nelson “has a long history of posts obsessing about fighting fascism and white supremacy,” according to Ngo.
A year ago on Reddit, the trantifa agitator was actively calling for violence against the GOP, Reddit Lies posted on X.
He also used Reddit to groom gender-confused minors, Reddit Lies reported.
Nelson faces the following charges:
CRS 18-12-109(4) Explosives or Incendiary Devices Use During Felony, Class 2 Felony
CRS 18-4-501(1)(4)(d) Criminal Mischief $2,000 < $5,000 Business, Class 6 Felony
CRS 18-2-101(4) Criminal Attempt to Commit Class 3 Felony, Class 4 Felony
Nelson appeared in court on Tuesday and the judge issued a $100,000 surety bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 7.
Loveland police said they are working with the Denver Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and that federal charges are likely.