A 55-year-old Pennsylvania man, Chadd Ritenbaugh, has been charged with criminal mischief, harassment, and disorderly conduct after allegedly carving a swastika onto Tesla. When confronted by the owner, as per video footage, Ritenbaugh resorted to apologizing, saying, "I have nothing against you."
Videos by Wide Open Country
According to a Central Bucks Regional Police Department statement, on March 24, 2025, the Tesla's owner arrived at a Planet Fitness located in Doylestown Borough. After returning home, the victim noticed the scratches in the shape of a swastika on their Tesla SUV. Shocked by this discovery, the owner checked on their vehicle's 24/7 recording cameras.
Video footage recorded by the Tesla showed an individual, later identified as Chadd Ritenbaugh, approaching the vehicle at around 9:24 a.m. Ritenbaugh parked right next to the Tesla, got out of his Lexus, and started scratching the hate symbol on the side of the Tesla SUV, as shown in the footage.
Thanks to the assistance provided by the Planet Fitness staff, police were able to identify the suspect. The gym's video camera shows Ritenbaugh walking into the Planet Fitness wearing the exact same clothes as the man recorded by the Tesla's cameras. He is then shown scanning his membership card, which was also used to identify him alongside his driver's license photo.
Suspect Confronted
Before he was arrested, the Tesla owner confronted Chadd Ritenbaugh, according to the New York Post. The owner asked Ritenbaugh about the alleged offense against their property. Ritenbaugh, while being recorded by the owner, apologized.
"I'm sorry, I have nothing against your car, and I have nothing against you," Ritenbaugh said. "Obviously, I have something against Elon Musk." He would then say that he didn't use a key to scratch the symbol on the Tesla. He said, as per the video, that he used a crayon instead. Ritenbaugh, as per the outlet, then said that he was "misguided."
Chadd Ritenbaugh was charged with second-degree misdemeanor criminal mischief, third-degree misdemeanor harassment, summary harassment, and summary disorderly conduct.
Ritenbaugh's attorney, Paul Lang, issued a statement and was reported by Fox News Digital. "My client is a proud father, long-time resident, and is currently undergoing cancer treatment," Lang said. "We will reserve further comment pending the outcome of the case."
