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Steven Lowell Weinberger, 40, of Avon, was charged with second-degree criminal mischief and second-degree breach of peace, police said Tuesday, April 15.
Officers responded to the parking lot of a Mexican restaurant on West Avon Road on March 26 after a Tesla owner reported someone had drawn the Nazi symbol in permanent marker on his white Model Y, Avon police said.
The Tesla’s built-in security cameras recorded the incident, capturing footage of a man in a black hoodie approaching the vehicle and drawing on the driver’s side door. Police later released images from the video.
Weinberger was identified as the suspect. During questioning, he admitted to drawing the swastika because he was upset with the current political climate in the country, police said.
Tesla vehicles have increasingly become targets for political vandalism because of company CEO Elon Musk’s polarizing role within the US government.
Weinberger also told officers he did not know the Tesla’s owner, according to authorities.
He was released on a $25,000 surety bond, police said.
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