Tesla Keying Suspect Arrested As Attacks On Vehicles Escalate Nationwide
San Jose police have arrested a man seen on video keying a Tesla in a Costco parking lot, charging him with felony vandalism. The attack, which was recorded by the vehicle’s security system, sparked widespread outrage and a call for action against politically motivated crimes.
Police Chief Paul Joseph confirmed that officers identified and apprehended the suspect within 24 hours of the video going viral. He reminded the public that “frustration with political or corporate figures is never an excuse for criminal behavior.”
Mayor Matt Mahan took to social media to denounce the attack. “Vandalism is not a form of protest,” he said, urging residents to express their views through voting rather than destruction.
The Tesla owner was not alone in being targeted. In Fremont, Councilmember Yang Shao reported his own Tesla was recently vandalized. Similar incidents have occurred across the country, including arson at a Tesla lot in Seattle and gunfire at a dealership in Oregon.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a statement condemning attacks on Tesla properties and vehicles, calling for aggressive prosecution of perpetrators. Elon Musk, responding to the news, acknowledged the police department’s efforts with a brief American flag emoji on social media.
The incidents highlight how Tesla, once a leader in the progressive push for electric vehicles, is now a flashpoint in the culture war, as Musk’s association with the Trump administration sparks backlash from the left.
