Leo never expected his routine trip to Target in Alameda, California to turn into a nightmare. As he walked back to his Tesla Model 3, he noticed something was off. His heart sank as he saw that all four panels on the right side of his car had been keyed. The damage was extensive, and Leo was devastated.
But Leo didn’t panic. He knew his Tesla was equipped with Sentry Mode, a feature that records footage when the car detects a threat. He immediately reviewed the clips and was shocked by what he saw. A man had been walking around his car, seemingly sizing it up before pulling out a set of car keys. With deliberate intent, he dragged the keys along the right side of the Tesla, damaging the paint in a malicious act of vandalism.
The footage only got more disturbing as the man returned to Leo’s car multiple times, feeling the scratch he had made with his hands. It was almost as if he was admiring his handiwork or trying to rub off the damage he had caused. The man even changed his clothes and walked barefoot around the Tesla and a nearby Jeep, repeating the same destructive behavior.
Leo was determined to find the culprit and seek justice. He suspected the man was still in the parking lot, so he began scouting for the 2018 Cadillac SUV the vandal was driving. After a tense confrontation and involvement of security, the police were called, and the man was arrested. It was revealed that he appeared to be intoxicated and denied his actions, but the evidence was irrefutable.
The repairs to Leo’s Tesla were extensive, costing over $4,800 at a trusted body shop in San Mateo, California. The car was restored to its former glory, but the emotional toll of the incident lingered. Leo’s wife speculated that the vandal may have been targeting new and expensive cars to drum up business for his body shop, but his plan backfired thanks to Sentry Mode.
The district attorney got involved, seeking restitution for the property damage caused by the vandal. The police officers were impressed by the Tesla‘s security features, and Leo even mentioned that the footage would be featured on a popular Tesla cam channel. The incident may have been traumatic, but justice was served, and Leo could finally put the ordeal behind him.
In the end, Leo’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and the power of technology in catching criminals. While the experience was harrowing, Leo emerged stronger, with his faith in the justice system and his Tesla‘s capabilities reaffirmed. And as for the vandal, well, he learned the hard way that crime doesn’t pay.
