Irvine, California police are searching for a suspect believed to be responsible for vandalizing at least 13 Tesla vehicles in a single week. The incidents, which primarily involved spray paint, have occurred in parking garages across the city.
The Irvine Police Department reported the first incident on a Friday evening around 10:30 p.m. in a parking garage near Michelson Drive and Carlson Avenue. Surveillance footage from the location allegedly captured the suspect spray-painting one Tesla. Three other vehicles in the vicinity were also found to have been vandalized.
Investigators believe the suspect returned to the same garage at a later time and vandalized nine additional Teslas, bringing the total number of damaged vehicles to 13. Police have released images of a person of interest and are asking for the public's assistance in identifying the individual.
The rash of vandalism occurs amid a backdrop of growing public sentiment against Tesla CEO Elon Musk in some liberal enclaves. Some Tesla owners in California have reportedly placed bumper stickers on their vehicles, such as "I bought this before Elon went crazy" or "Anti-Elon Tesla Club," to distance themselves from Musk's public stances and political alignments. Prominent Democratic figures in the state, including Governor Gavin Newsom, have reportedly opted for vehicles from other manufacturers, such as Rivian, as Tesla's image has reportedly become more divisive in certain political circles.
This wave of vandalism coincides with recent financial market performance for Tesla and its CEO. The company experienced its worst week since 2020, with its stock price falling 18%, and Musk's personal wealth has seen a significant decrease in recent weeks.