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Topics: Tesla, Elon Musk, Crime, Social Media, US News, Electric Cars, Donald Trump, Politics
Liv Bridge
Topics: Tesla, Elon Musk, Crime, Social Media, US News, Electric Cars, Donald Trump, Politics
A Tesla owner filmed the moment he caught up with the man who allegedly carved a 'swastika' on the side of his car.
A Doylestown area man who claimed he has 'something against Elon Musk' is facing criminal charges after he was caught allegedly 'scratching' into a white Tesla SUV parked outside a gym last week.
The car's camera footage shows the accused man, identified as Chadd Ritenbaugh as per NY Post, getting out of a silver Lexus in the parking lot of Planet Fitness in Doylestown Borough, Pennsylvania, and crouching down with an object to vandalise the car.
The 55-year-old man can be seen writing on the vehicle while apparently hiding from passers-by before getting up and calmly walking into the gym at around 9.30am on Monday (March 24).
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The local police department says the owner 'noticed fresh damage to their Tesla that appeared to be scratches in the shape of a swastika' when he arrived home and checked the car's CCTV footage where he caught the vandal red handed.
Staff at the gym were later able to identify Ritenbaugh by his membership card and Pennsylvania Driver's License, cops confirmed.
The enraged owner then said he managed to trace the accused with the help of social media and filmed the subsequent confrontation.
In the footage, Ritenbaugh suggests he was offering a 'free service' to which the owner snaps back: "Free service? How about you pay for the repairs? Write a check, you just bought a Tesla."
The man goes on to state he could 'wipe' the marks away 'with a towel,' insisting that he drew on the car with a crayon and not a key.
The furious owner continued to slam his actions as a 'hate crime,' before asking him repeatedly if he drew the fascist symbol.
"I'm sorry you're upset," Ritenbaugh replied with a hand on his heart.
Referring to the use of his crayon, he added: "It didn't even work. Apparently, it doesn't work."
He continued to insist he didn't use a key, stating: "I was probably putting my keys in my pocket. Have you looked at your car? Is there a key mark? That's impossible."
The owner informs him that the incident had been reported to police but he managed to trace his whereabouts through Facebook.
"So your business, your freaking livelihood, everything now," the driver goes on to say before encouraging him to 'tell Facebook that you're sorry for writing a swastika on a Tesla.'
Ritenbaugh said: "Listen, I said I'm sorry. And I apologize. I have nothing against your car and I have nothing against you. Obviously, I have something against Elon Musk."
He said his actions were 'misguided', adding: "And obviously, I did not intend to do this."
The man has been charged with criminal mischief, harassment and disorderly conduct, police records state.
The news comes as campaigners continue to direct their anger at Musk's cost-cutting role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) by targeting Tesla cars and dealerships.
The problem has spiralled to the point where the FBI has launched a 'Tesla task force' to hunt down vandals, while President Donald Trump said those caught will face the full wrath of the law.
The POTUS announced last month perpetrators will 'go through hell' and be treated as 'domestic terrorists.'