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The news is awash with stories about Tesla cars getting their paint keyed. It might seem like a minor prank, but keying a car can result in an arrest warrant for something as serious as felony mischief. It varies by state, but once the damage exceeds a certain monetary threshold, the crime moves from a misdemeanor to a felony. This threshold (often as low as $2,500) can be easy to exceed considering how expensive it can be to repair automotive paint. Felony misdemeanor sentences generally range from one-to-five plus years in prison and may also include fines (usually $5,000 or more).
Reddit user CatFancier4393 posted about her experience getting her Tesla Model Y keyed, and the Reddit community had a lot of suggestions about responsible ways to respond.
“Lady keyed my car at costco today”
LosChicago immediately responded with an encouraging comment:
“Interesting enough, someone posted a similar story either here or one of the other Tesla subreddits and the police actually arrested the person. they quickly found out who the person was because of their membership. So you never know!”
Bob_Dolester added the following details:
“File a police report. If she was shopping at Costco it wouldn’t be hard to check store footage and member check in/checkout times. This has literally happened before with great success (perp being caught, charged, banned from Costco)”
8thchakra had a funny remark:
“Honestly getting banned from Costco would probably mean more to her than paying a fine or spending a night in jail.”
SlightAnnoyance listed out specific steps that could help anyone who gets their car keyed:
“Costco likely won’t give it to you directly for privacy reasons, so when they decline, tell them you have filed a police report. Ask them to review the video and give it to the police (give your report number if you got one) also if they would be kind enough to tell you if they even have video and info on her identity so you can tell your insurance company.
Finally, file an insurance claim and let them know Costco may have video. They can also make formal requests that might get somewhere.
Now, I’m going to get down voted by the ‘cops don’t do anything’ and ‘even saying insurance will raise your rates’ crowds. And in truth, the cops probably won’t do anything unless Costco can give them her name and contact info.
Depending on how much damage and how expensive it is, insurance may want to go after her if you’ve already done the leg work.
Costco may end up being the most useful of the three organizations.”
mah658 agreed with getting insurance involved told about a similar situation:
“Yes, pursue your insurance. When police wouldn’t investigate a hit and run, my insurance company tracked the insurance for the offending vehicle down and was able to recover everything without any help from the police.”
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If your car gets keyed, you are not powerless to act. Here’s one of many stories about how Tesla owners have been able to successfully take action.
Golf Outing Turns Into Vandalism Incident
While enjoying a casual afternoon round of golf, a Tesla Model Y owner returned to an unpleasant surprise. His Model Y had been deliberately keyed while he was away. Surveillance footage from the Model Y’s built-in cameras (sentry mode) captured the act in clear detail. The Tesla owner had never seen or spoken to the man responsible.
The Tesla owner brought the video to the golf course staff, who immediately recognized the individual as a fellow club member. The staff provided the Telsa owner with the man’s name, address, email, and date of birth.
Police Involvement and Arrest
With this information in hand, the Tesla owner reported the incident to local authorities. Since the damage exceeded $2,500, the act qualified as felony mischief under state law. Police issued a warrant, and the suspect was arrested. He was required to spend a night in jail as part of the legal process.
Insurance Fallout After the Confession
Initially, the suspect denied involvement when approached by the Tesla owner’s insurance company. Once confronted with the video footage, he confessed. His own insurer then chose to cancel his policy and drop him as a customer due to the intentional damage.
An Increase in Tesla Vandalism
Reports of Tesla vehicles getting keyed have surged in recent years, with a noticeable uptick beginning around 2020 and gaining traction in 2022. According to data gathered from Tesla owner forums and insurance claims, incidents of cosmetic vandalism involving keyed paint have more than doubled in major metro areas such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York. The rise is often attributed to a mix of resentment toward perceived wealth, road rage retaliation, and growing anti-EV sentiment among certain groups. As Teslas became more common, especially in areas with higher concentrations of luxury vehicles, they also became more visible targets. Some social media users speculate that the brand’s polarizing image may also contribute. To combat this trend, many Tesla owners now rely heavily on Sentry Mode, which uses the car’s built-in cameras to detect and record suspicious behavior while parked. Others are taking additional steps such as choosing more secluded or well-lit parking spaces, installing vinyl wraps that are cheaper to replace, or posting warning stickers that surveillance is active at all times.
Sentry Mode in the Tesla Model Y is like having a digital guard dog that never sleeps. When the car is parked and locked, Sentry Mode activates the vehicle’s external cameras to monitor surroundings for any suspicious activity. If movement is detected near the vehicle, it enters an alert state, displaying a message on the touchscreen to let would-be vandals know they are being recorded. In the event of an actual incident, like a door ding or keying, the system saves a high-resolution video clip from multiple angles. Owners can access these recordings directly from the car’s screen or by removing a USB drive used for storage. These files can then be easily shared with police, insurance companies, or business owners for follow-up.
Bottom Line
These incidents serve as a reminders of how built-in vehicle cameras and persistent follow-through can help victims of vandalism find accountability. Tesla owners’ actions have not only led to arrests, but they also highlight the growing role of digital evidence in protecting EV owners and their property. Who ever though that this would be a primary use of Sentry Mode?
Please Drop Your Thoughts in the Comments Below
Has your car ever been keyed or vandalized? What did you do about it?
Would you pursue charges if someone keyed your car, or just let insurance handle it?
Chris Johnston is the author of SAE’s comprehensive book on electric vehicles, “The Arrival of The Electric Car.” His coverage on Torque News focuses on electric vehicles. Chris has decades of product management experience in telematics, mobile computing, and wireless communications. Chris has a B.S. in electrical engineering from Purdue University and an MBA. He lives in Seattle. When not working, Chris enjoys restoring classic wooden boats, open water swimming, cycling and flying (as a private pilot). You can connect with Chris on LinkedIn and follow his work on X at ChrisJohnstonEV.
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Source: torquenews.com
