Tesla Vandal in Bloomington, Minnesota Receives Forgiveness After Damaging Car
A recent incident in Bloomington, Minnesota, saw a Tesla vandal causing $3,200 in damages to a parked car by keying it. Despite the act of vandalism, both the local police department and the Tesla owner decided to show compassion and let the perpetrator off the hook.
The Tesla was parked at a Cub Foods grocery store when it fell victim to vandalism, a trend that is unfortunately becoming all too common. The police were able to track down the individual responsible for the damage and intended to hold her accountable for the scratches inflicted on the vehicle.
However, in a surprising turn of events, the Tesla owner chose not to pursue criminal charges and simply wanted the damages to be repaired. This act of forgiveness was commended by Police Chief Booker Hodges, who stated:
“The victim in this case just wanted their car fixed, and they just wanted the suspect to pay for that. Based on the totality of the circumstances here, and along with our core value of being compassionate, this is the best outcome for everybody involved in this case.”
While many victims of Tesla vandalism may seek legal action, such as one individual who filed a lawsuit seeking $1 million in damages after their car was keyed at an airport, this case took a different approach towards resolution.
Chief Hodges also called out leaders who have perpetuated a negative narrative surrounding Tesla and its CEO Elon Musk, stressing the importance of tolerance and respect for individual choices:
“We need our leaders to start leading and stop feeding this rhetoric. People should be able to drive whatever car they want without fear of going into a store and someone scratching their car or people yelling at them because of the car that … they choose to drive. It’s time for all of us, you know, just to start getting along and knock this stuff off, man. People should be able to be left alone.”
Although Chief Hodges did not mention any specific individuals, recent comments made by Minnesota politician Tim Walz, who joked about feeling good when Tesla stock falls, highlight the need for a shift towards acceptance and understanding.