Latest news with #MatthewPinard
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
A Tesla Supercharging station was engulfed in flames. Police suspect arson.
Massachusettes police are investigating seven Tesla charging stations that were set on fire. Police told BI that the charging stations were the only ones in the small town outside Boston. Investigators suspect the fires were intentional. A group of Tesla Superchargers in a small town outside Boston caught fire this week — and investigators suspect it was arson. Massachusettes police are working with local officials to investigate seven Tesla charging stations that were engulfed in flames early Monday morning. Littleton Police said in a Monday press release that local officials have "determined that the fire appears to have been intentionally set." Littleton Police Deputy Chief Jeff Patterson told Business Insider that the seven charging stations that were damaged are the only ones in the town, and none of them are useable. However, he said they are actively being repaired. Tesla's charging account on X responded to a post about the incident on Monday and said the charging posts and wiring would be replaced in under 48 hours. Police chief Matthew Pinard said that officers were dispatched to The Point Shopping Center at 1:10 a.m., following reports of fires at the Tesla charging station. The officers said that "several Tesla charging stations were engulfed in flames and heavy, dark smoke" and another caught fire while they waited for the Electric Light & Water Department to arrive to shut down the power. Seven charging stations suffered heavy fire-related damage. There were no reported injuries, and all of the fires were extinguished. The Littleton police and fire departments, along with the Massachusetts State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit, are investigating the incident. The Arson Watch Reward Program is offering rewards of up to $5,000 for information about the incident. Patterson told BI that he wasn't aware of any Tesla protests or vandalism incidents in the town. There have been dozens of demonstrations against Elon Musk and Tesla around the country in recent weeks in response to the Tesla CEO's efforts with the Trump administration and DOGE. Demonstrators have gathered in cities around the country to participate in "Tesla Takedown" protests, many of which have occurred outside Tesla showrooms. Some Tesla owners have also reported being subject to insults when driving or vandalism on their vehicles. Some of the anti-Tesla and Musk efforts have resulted in arrests. Colorado police arrested a woman last week on suspicion of her involvement in a series of vandalism incidents at a Tesla dealership, including painting "Nazi cars" in graffiti on the dealership building and throwing Molotov cocktails at vehicles. The suspect was charged with criminal intent to commit a felony, criminal mischief, and using explosives or incendiary devices during a felony, according to police records. Nine people were also arrested at a Tesla showroom protest in Manhattan on Saturday, Reuters reported. Police said hundreds of people showed up to the protest, some of whom entered the building, prompting employees to close the store. Videos from the protest also captured some of the store's glass shattered. Are you a Tesla driver or employee with a story to share? Contact the reporter at aaltchek@ Read the original article on Business Insider
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Yahoo
Arsonist sets fire to Tesla charging stations: Police
Police in Massachusetts are investigating fires that appear to have been 'intentionally set' that destroyed seven Tesla charging stations, police said. The fires were first reported at approximately 1:10 a.m. on Monday morning when the Littleton Police Department in Massachusetts were dispatched to The Point Shopping Center due to reports of several fires at the Tesla charging stations there, according to a statement from the Littleton Police Department. MORE: Woman caught trying to plant explosive devices at Tesla dealership 'Chief Matthew Pinard reports that the Littleton Police Department responded to and is investigating fires at a Tesla charging station at The Point Shopping Center that are believed to be suspicious in nature,' authorities said. 'Responding officers observed that several Tesla charging stations were engulfed in flames and heavy, dark smoke.' Police said that the Littleton Electric Light & Water Department was immediately contacted and requested to shut down power but that while waiting for the electric department to arrive, another charging station caught fire. MORE: Man drives over 700 miles to set fire to home of man talking with his ex-girlfriend: Police In total, seven charging stations sustained heavy fire-related damage, police said. Once the fires were extinguished and the electric supply was cut off, officers launched a preliminary investigation and determined that the fires appear to have been deliberately set. MORE: Online content creator arrested after videos surface of her urinating on grocery store products dating back 4 years MORE: 12-year-old boy dies at motocross event in dirt bike racing accident 'Littleton Police and Fire Departments and the Massachusetts State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit attached to the State Fire Marshal's Office are investigating and have determined that the fire appears to have been intentionally set,' police said. No injuries were sustained in the fires, according to police, but authorities said that this case falls under the Arson Watch Reward Program, coordinated by the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association. MORE: Search for man missing for nearly 2 weeks in national park intensifies 'The program offers rewards of up to $5,000 for information that solves, prevents, or detects arson crimes,' police said. Just last week in a separate incident, a woman in Colorado was arrested after police caught her with explosives at a Tesla dealership, police said. MORE: Gas grill explosion at Hawaii condo leaves 7 injured, 3 in critical condition The 40-year-old suspect, Lucy Grace Nelson, was arrested on Feb. 25 after the Loveland Police Department in Colorado launched an "extensive investigation" on Jan. 29 following a series of vandalizations with incendiary devices at the Tesla Dealership in Loveland, Colorado, according to a statement from the police released last Wednesday. Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, and his company have faced backlash since he has taken a central role in the White House as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency. MORE: California fire captain stabbed to death in her own home Over the weekend, demonstrators around the United States gathered at Tesla showrooms to protest Musk and his sweeping cuts of federal spending that has led to mass layoffs of federal workers in Washington, D.C. and beyond. The investigation into the Littleton Tesla charging station fires is currently ongoing. Arsonist sets fire to Tesla charging stations: Police originally appeared on
