A local resident in Arlington, Virginia, is reeling after discovering that someone had vandalized his Tesla by carving a swastika into the hood. The incident occurred overnight from Thursday to Friday along a busy street in the Courthouse area, raising concerns about hate-related vandalism in the community.
The owner, who spoke exclusively to ARLnow, expressed his disbelief over the act of vandalism. “My Tesla was found this morning with a swastika keyed in on the hood,” he stated. “Obviously, this trend is happening nationwide. I didn’t think Arlington would be a place where stupid people do stupid things like this to innocent car owners.” His comments highlight the growing unease surrounding such acts of vandalism, which have been reported across the country.
The Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) confirmed that they had received a report regarding the destruction of property involving a 2023 Tesla that had been vandalized with a swastika. An ACPD spokeswoman noted, “There is no suspect description(s) at this time.” The police are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact their tip line at 703-228-4180 or email law enforcement directly. Additionally, tips can be reported anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).
When asked about whether Tesla vehicles are experiencing an uptick in vandalism, ACPD spokeswoman Alli Shorb stated that the department is “not seeing any specific trend at this time.” She elaborated, “While we have seen reports of destruction of property involving vehicles, they include vehicles of all makes and models and are reported in areas throughout the county.” This statement suggests that while vandalism is a concern, it is not limited to any particular brand or model.
This incident comes amid a broader wave of protests and acts of vandalism targeting Tesla vehicles and company locations, which are linked to Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s controversial decisions affecting federal jobs, contracts, and spending through the Department of Government Efficiency. Notably, former President Trump has suggested that vandalism against Tesla should be classified as domestic terrorism, further politicizing the issue.
The owner of the vandalized Tesla hopes that increased publicity around this incident will prompt action from law enforcement, calling it a “growing public safety concern.” His experience underscores the need for communities to remain vigilant and proactive in addressing hate-related vandalism and protecting all residents, regardless of their choice of vehicle.
