Pennsylvania man faces charges after vandalizing Tesla, citing dislike for Musk
A self-proclaimed Elon Musk “hater” has been charged in Pennsylvania after allegedly carving a Nazi symbol resembling a swastika onto a Tesla and later being confronted by the car’s owner.
Chadd Ritenbaugh, 55, was caught on camera apologizing after the Tesla owner confronted him outside a Doylestown Planet Fitness, where Ritenbaugh had parked his white SUV on March 24.
Incident caught on camera
Initially, Tesla’s video system captured an unidentified person parking next to the vehicle, hastily exiting, looking around, and then crouching to etch something onto the car.
Police described the suspect as a 5’9″ white male with brown hair, glasses, and a grey hat. He was wearing sweatpants, a black puffer jacket, and a light-colored undershirt and carrying a blue and red bag with white stripes.
Authorities said Ritenbaugh exited his silver Lexus, ducked behind the Tesla, and used an unidentified object to scratch the symbol into the car’s side.
Confrontation and apology
Subsequent cell phone footage captured the Tesla owner repeatedly confronting Ritenbaugh before his detainment, asking if he had used a key to scratch a swastika onto the vehicle.
Ritenbaugh responded apologetically, stating, “I’m sorry, I have nothing against your car, and I have nothing against you.” He then admitted, “Obviously, I have something against Elon Musk.”
Upon returning home, the victim discovered fresh scratches on the Tesla, appearing to be in the shape of a swastika, The New York Post reported.
Suspect identified and charged
Planet Fitness employees later identified Ritenbaugh based on his membership records, confirming he had entered the gym at 9:24 AM on March 24 while carrying the same bag and wearing the same outfit.
He now faces charges of criminal mischief, harassment, and disorderly conduct.
Growing hostility toward Tesla
This incident is the latest in a series of vandalism cases targeting Tesla vehicles and businesses globally.
Elon Musk’s role as U.S. President Donald Trump’s chief cost-cutter within the Department of Environmental Efficiency (DOGE) has been cited as a factor in rising animosity toward the electric vehicle manufacturer.
Meanwhile, Tesla owners are selling their cars at unprecedented rates. According to Edmunds, March saw the highest percentage of Tesla trade-ins on record, with owners increasingly opting for vehicles from other manufacturers.
