LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The man accused of setting fires at a Tesla collision center in Las Vegas reported his car stolen less than three hours after what police call a “targeted attack,” documents said.
Officers arrested Paul Kim, 36, on Wednesday night on charges including arson and possessing an explosive device, the 8 News Now Investigators first reported. Kim made his first appearance in federal court on firearm and arson charges Thursday afternoon.
Police found Kim by tracking his car with license plate readers and cell phone data, documents said.
The fires happened Tuesday, March 18, around 2:45 a.m. at 6260 West Badura Avenue near Jones Boulevard and Warm Springs Road. Around 5:30 a.m., Kim reported to his insurance company that his tires were slashed and his vehicle stolen, documents said.
Kim did not report the vehicle stolen to police, documents said.
Kim purchased an AR-style weapon on March 6 at a Las Vegas gun shop, prosecutors said. The caliber of the firearm matched bullet fragments from the fire scene.
Kim follows the Socialist Rifle Association on Instagram, police said. A photo from 2018 shows him training with firearms.
Police said the person in this surveillance video is Paul Kim. (LVMPD)
Police arrested Kim at the Venetian hotel during a cybersecurity convention. He was scheduled to fly out of Las Vegas on Thursday.
Kim did not appear for a probable cause hearing in Las Vegas Justice Court on state charges as he was in custody for his federal charges. In federal court Thursday afternoon, Kim’s federal public defender requested a one-day continuance so Kim could hire his own attorney.
Kim remained in custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
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