A Tesla owner in San Jose found his car vandalized in a Costco parking lot last week, a crime that police say reflects a growing hostility toward the company and its CEO, Elon Musk. The suspect, described as an older man wearing a U.S.A. jacket, was captured on security footage scratching the side of the vehicle with a key before driving away.
The San Jose Police Department announced Monday night that the man had been arrested and charged with felony vandalism. Officials urged the public to avoid using political disagreements as justification for property destruction.
The man that was caught on camera keying a Tesla at a Costco parking lot in San Jose last Friday, has been arrested for Felony Vandalism.
A FV conviction for damage in excess of $400. is a sentence of 16 months to 3 years in a State prison, “based on circumstances.” pic.twitter.com/4xFO8LlDN4— 🇺🇸ProudArmyBrat (@leslibless) March 18, 2025
“This senseless crime and its subsequent consequences should serve as a clear reminder: no matter one’s personal beliefs or frustrations, they do not justify illegal actions,” said Police Chief Paul Joseph]
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan also weighed in, warning against politically charged vandalism. “If this crime was politically motivated, our residents can’t be held accountable for something Elon Musk is doing 3,000 miles away,” he posted on X. “I want to thank [San Jose Police] for finding the person responsible and urge us all to voice our opinions where they matter — at the ballot box, not in a parking lot.”
The internet did its thing. The guy caught on camera keying a Tesla was found within a couple of days of the video being posted on X and confronted. He was wearing the same jacket. His license plate is documented for the cops to see. The insurance company has someone to send the… pic.twitter.com/xdT0JnuuqS
— Midnight (@Nocte_Insanire) March 18, 2025
The incident is part of a larger wave of Tesla-related vandalism in left-leaning areas. Flyers in San Francisco have encouraged people to sell their Teslas, referring to them with slurs. In Oregon, gunshots were fired at a Tesla dealership, and in Seattle, four Cybertrucks were destroyed in a fire.
Musk, who has played a major role in President Trump’s cost-cutting DOGE initiative, has faced increasing backlash from leftists. Despite the pushback, Tesla remains the top-selling electric vehicle brand in California.
While the motive for the San Jose incident remains unclear, the attack adds to concerns that politically motivated crimes are escalating. Authorities have not yet released the suspect’s identity or any additional charges.
