An investigation is underway in Echo Park after a man was seen vandalizing a Tesla Cybertruck in what the victim believes was a targeted attack.
The video recorded by the cameras on the vandalized Tesla shows a male suspect walking over to the vehicle while holding a sharp object on Nov. 28.
The man quickly punctures the Tesla’s front and rear passenger tires before walking away from the area.
The Cybertruck was among several vehicles parked along the 1600 block of North Alvarado Street that day, however, the victim said his car was the only one vandalized. He believes the incident may be a case of Tesla-specific hatred.
Some neighbors, although puzzled, said they were not too surprised by the crime.
“I feel like people hate Teslas now,” Sol Dean, a nearby resident, tells KTLA’s Ellina Abovian. “I don’t know why, but it seems some people just hate electric vehicles.”
Images of the male suspect slashing the tires of a Tesla Cybertruck were captured by the vehicle’s cameras in Echo Park on Nov. 28, 2024. (Frank Ogwaro) 
Images of the male suspect slashing the tires of a Tesla Cybertruck were captured by the vehicle’s cameras in Echo Park on Nov. 28, 2024. (Frank Ogwaro) 
Images of the male suspect slashing the tires of a Tesla Cybertruck were captured by the vehicle’s cameras in Echo Park on Nov. 28, 2024. (Frank Ogwaro) 
The victim’s punctured tires are seen after a male suspect vandalized the Tesla Cybertruck in Echo Park on Nov. 28, 2024. (Frank Ogwaro) 
The victim’s car was parked on the 1600 block of North Alvarado Street in Echo Park. (KTLA) 
Images of the male suspect slashing the tires of a Tesla Cybertruck were captured by the vehicle’s cameras in Echo Park on Nov. 28, 2024. (Frank Ogwaro)
Some Tesla owners are reportedly concerned over potential backlash against Elon Musk and his support for President-elect Donald Trump, The Guardian reports.
In an attempt to disassociate, sales of bumper stickers featuring phrases such as, “I bought this before Elon went crazy” and “Anti-Elon Tesla Club,” are reportedly being purchased by Tesla owners as a precautionary measure.
Local Tesla drivers told KTLA that politically-motivated attacks could be possible.
“I think a lot of people feel powerless because of the political climate, and so they’re trying to take that power back some way,” speculates Don Parker, a Tesla driver. “I don’t think it makes it right, but it’s an explanation for what’s going on for sure.”
“Elon Musk has made common cause with the president-elect and has shown himself to be hostile to immigrants, to California and to Democratic people,” said Michael Webster, an Echo Park resident. “It’s easy to see him as an enemy and to be seeing others enriching him and particularly I think the Cybertruck is a symbol [of that.]”
Others believed the attack could’ve stemmed from frustration over economic disparity in Southern California.
“It’s feeling left out, like they’re not getting a piece of the pie, maybe,” said Brent Kavianian, an Echo Park resident. “Los Angeles is such an interesting place, where we have really expensive penthouses and $100,000 cars driving along the streets where people are [also] living in tents. There is such a gap in terms of economic status.”
So far, the Los Angeles Police Department said the incident is being investigated as a case of vandalism and not a brand or vehicle-specific crime.
The male suspect remains at large. Anyone who recognizes him is asked to call LAPD at 1-877-527-3247.
