A man has been charged after allegedly vandalizing a Tesla by scratching a swastika into its side. The incident took place recently, and the accused, identified as Chadd Ritenbaugh, has reportedly expressed regret for his actions, calling them "misguided."
Video footage captured the moment when the Tesla owner confronted Ritenbaugh. In the video, he claimed to have used a crayon rather than a key for the damage and stated, "I have nothing against your car, and I have nothing against you. Obviously, I have something against Elon Musk."
According to the Central Bucks Regional Police Department, the victim discovered the damage after returning home from the gym. They noticed scratches in the shape of a swastika. The police report indicated that the Tesla’s built-in camera recorded the vandalism, showing Ritenbaugh using an unknown object to scratch the car.
Gym staff helped identify Ritenbaugh through his membership details. The police noted that he was seen entering the gym wearing the same clothes as in the video from the Tesla’s camera. He has been charged with criminal mischief, harassment, and disorderly conduct.
Ritenbaugh’s attorney shared that he is a long-time resident and a father who is currently undergoing cancer treatment. The attorney stated they will wait for the case’s outcome before making further comments.
This incident is part of a worrying trend, as Tesla vehicles and facilities have faced increased vandalism. This has coincided with public backlash against Musk’s efforts to expose issues within the federal government.