In a shocking display of blatant disrespect and criminal mischief, a Pennsylvania man was caught vandalizing a Tesla at a local Planet Fitness. This incident is part of a troubling trend where radicals target Teslas, driven by their unfounded animosity towards Elon Musk. However, this time, justice was served swiftly.
The suspect, 55-year-old Chadd Ritenbaugh from Doylestown Township, was captured on Tesla’s advanced surveillance system while committing the act. As reported by NBC 10 Philadelphia and the Bucks County Courier Times, Ritenbaugh was seen pulling up next to the Tesla in his silver Lexus. He then proceeded to etch a swastika onto the vehicle’s surface, demonstrating a shocking level of audacity and ignorance.
After committing this heinous act, Ritenbaugh made the arrogant mistake of entering Planet Fitness and using his membership card, which proved to be his undoing. Law enforcement was able to swiftly identify Ritenbaugh through his gym membership details and Pennsylvania Driver’s License photo, leading to his arrest.
Ritenbaugh faces several charges, including misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief and harassment, with additional counts of summary harassment and disorderly conduct. He was arraigned before Judge Mark Douple, with a bail set at $25,000.
In an ironic twist, Ritenbaugh is the owner of Black Car Service of Bucks County, PA, a company reportedly seeking new hires. This incident casts a significant shadow over his business reputation.
This appalling act is part of a series of attacks on Teslas across the nation. In recent weeks, vandals have targeted Tesla vehicles, with one incident in South Carolina resulting in a perpetrator inadvertently setting himself on fire while torching Tesla charging stations. Another attack in Las Vegas saw several Teslas set ablaze. The growing trend of targeting Tesla vehicles underscores a troubling mentality that cannot be condoned.
In a related crackdown, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi recently announced charges against three individuals who used Molotov cocktails to attack Tesla dealerships and cars, reflecting the ongoing battle against anti-Tesla crime.
