ENCINITAS, Calif. (KSWB) – A California Tesla dealership was vandalized early Monday.
Multiple cars were found with swastikas spray-painted on them, and several windows of the dealership building were spray-painted with swastikas and profanity.
The incident occurred around 5 a.m., the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department said in a news release Monday. No suspects have been identified, and no arrests have been made.
The vandalism comes two days after a protest at the same Tesla dealership where community members rallied against federal funding cuts. Protesters could be seen holding signs with messages like “boycott Tesla” and “save Social Security.”
Other incidents of vandalism have occurred around the country, including two incidents at an Oregon dealership where shots were fired and Molotov cocktails thrown at a dealership.
A 41-year-old man faces charges for those incidents.
Four Tesla Cybertrucks were also burned in an incident in Seattle.
Alan Gin, associate professor of economics at the University of San Diego, says no car company has seen such a dramatic swing in such a short time.
“A lot of people don’t like Elon Musk’s activities, and as a result, Tesla sales have fallen all over the world,” Gin said.
Tesla owners who love their cars say they are in a tough spot.
“Solar powered, we thought we were doing a good thing, and now regret it, embarrassed, don’t know what to do,” said Erin Maffia, a Tesla owner.
The Encinitas Tesla dealership declined to comment on the vandalism.
Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest in the case.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office at 858-868-3200. To remain anonymous, call the Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
