As incidents of Tesla vandalism are on the rise, so are instances of Tesla vandals being identified, confronted, and held accountable. One such instance made the rounds online this week, with a vandal being caught red-handed.
The perpetrator, who was allegedly caught on camera carving a swastika into a Tesla in the parking lot of a Pennsylvania Planet Fitness last week, initially tried to claim innocence before progressing to saying that he could "wipe it off" with a towel.
His tune changes immediately, however, once he is informed that the vandalized vehicle was being tested for fingerprints by the police.
‘Listen, I said I'm sorry, and I apologize. I have nothing against your car, and I have nothing against you, okay? Obviously, I have a problem with Elon Musk, but that's not the way to show my… that's why it's misguided, and obviously I did not intend to do this.'
According to Patch, the vandal, later identified as 55-year-old Chadd Ritenbaugh, is now facing charges.
Police said the victim parked her white Tesla SUV in the parking lot at Planet Fitness and went inside the gym. After arriving home, the victim told police she noticed scratches in the shape of a swastika on the side of the car. Police said when she checked the car's cameras, she saw video of a man scratching something on the side of the Tesla.
Police checked video surveillance at the store, which showed the suspect walking into Planet Fitness wearing the same clothes and carrying the same bag from the Tesla video camera footage, police said. The video also shows him scanning his membership card at the front desk and walking into the gym.
Police were able to identify the man by his gym membership card and his Pennsylvania Driver's License photo.
Ritenbaugh was arraigned on charges of criminal mischief, harassment, and disorderly conduct, with bail set at $25,000.
He's still reportedly searching for his missing spine.
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