A Pennsylvania Tesla vandalizer has offered to pay for his actions, although not in monetary terms. Two weeks ago in Doylestown, the culprit, now identified as Chad Ritenbaugh, was caught on camera keying a swastika on the electric vehicle. Now, Ritenbaugh believes wiping off the inscription is enough atonement for his actions.
The suspect was seen trying to make amends to the Tesla owner in a video on X. The clip, filmed from the owner’s perspective, opened up with the culprit laying his offer. “I can offer free service,” Ritenbaugh said, to which the owner replied, “Free service? How about you pay for the repairs? Write a check; you just bought a Tesla!”
The culprit continued his proposal, saying, “I can wipe it off with a towel.” However, the owner persistently refused the deal and confronted him about whether he had carved a swastika on the car. Rittenbaugh replied, “I’m sorry you’re upset. It didn’t even work.” At that denial, the viral tape capturing him writing on the Tesla played on the screen.
As seen in the video, the man challenged Rittenbaugh, saying he used a key. Not fazed by the challenge, Rittenbaugh stood his ground and said that it was not a key. He even asked if the driver had checked his vehicle for key marks. The driver confirmed he had, and the car was at the police being identified for fingerprints.
After the owner revealed that Ritenbaugh had been caught and would face the consequences of his actions, Ritenbaugh owned up. He said, “I’m sorry; I apologize; I have nothing against your car. I have nothing against you.”
When asked why he wrote a swastika, the vandalizer said, “Obviously, I have something against Elon Musk.”
The video on X has caused outrage among netizens who have criticized Ritenbaugh. One cybercitizen blasted the vandalized, writing, “Wow, that’s a wild level of delusion. Offering someone service? Who would trust him with their car?!”
Another user penned, “He didn’t intend to do the thing that he’s on camera doing? Come on, buddy. Own your actions.”
A third netizen lashed out, “Typical leftist hypocrisy! Vandalism one minute, fake generosity the next. Chadd Ritenbaugh’s true colors shone through that swastika. Lock him up and let his car service rot.”
This user agreed with imprisonment, writing, “He needs to do jail time. He won’t own it. What a complete and utter Loser.”
A fourth comment read, “Lunatic ‘has something against Elon Musk’ and decides to key a swastika into an innocent stranger’s car over it!? The degree of mental illness is INSANE.”
Several cases of the law have caught up with Tesla vandalizers nationwide. Hopefully, that would deter other possible perpetrators.
