Cuban national sought in connection to Tesla vandalism in Mississippi

Police in Brookhaven, Mississippi were investigating after a man was caught on video damaging a Tesla with wire cutters in a Walmart parking lot on Friday. Authorities said they are treating the case as felony vandalism, reports WAPT.

According to officials, the suspect, 63-year-old Osvaldo Torres-Rodriguez, is a Cuban male and an illegal immigrant, the outlet reported.

He was seen approaching the Tesla with a wire cutter in his right hand. Video footage showed him scratching the hood and the driver’s side of the vehicle. Police confirmed that Torres-Rodriguez has an active felony warrant.

This incident comes as Tesla vehicles, dealerships, and charging stations have faced multiple attacks across both the United States and Canada since Elon Musk took on a role in the Trump White House. The FBI recently announced that attacks on Teslas have been reported in at least nine states since January.

President Donald Trump issued a warning to those involved, writing on social media: "People that get caught sabotaging Telsas will stand a very good chance of going to jail for up to twenty years, and that includes funders. We are looking for you."

Brookhaven Police Chief Kenneth Collins also condemned the act of vandalism: “It does not matter what your political views are, you have no right messing with people’s personal property. Felony charges will be filed of the individual(s) involved.”

Torres-Rodriguez had not taken into custody as of Monday morning when the investigation was ongoing.