A man will be facing mischief charges after he allegedly vandalized a Tesla dealership in Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighbourhood in the early hours of Friday morning, police say.
A witness called 911 to report a suspect had spray-painted obscenities on the front window of the dealership on West 4th Avenue and Fir Street around 1:30 a.m., according to the Vancouver Police Department.
The drawings reportedly included a swastika and “f*** Elon.” When a CTV News camera visited the location Friday morning, there were no longer any signs of vandalism.
Officers arrested a suspect nearby, who has been released with a date to appear in court on May 15. Police did not name the suspect but say he is 27 years old.
“The Vancouver Police Department supports everyone’s right to engage in peaceful and lawful protest, however people who commit acts of violence and mischief will face arrest and criminal charges,” the VPD wrote in a statement.
So far this year, police say there have been eight confirmed acts of mischief in Vancouver they believe “are politically motivated and in opposition to Tesla owner Elon Musk’s political affiliation with the U.S. government.”
Dozens of protesters gathered at the same Kitsilano showroom last weekend to express their displeasure with the company’s billionaire CEO, who is under fire for his alliance with President Donald Trump as the U.S. and Canada are embroiled in a tariff war.
The Vancouver Auto Show also removed the brand from this week’s event, citing safety concerns.
A petition started by a British Columbian calling for Musk’s Canadian citizenship to be revoked on grounds he “engaged in activities that go against the national interest of Canada” and “attacked Canadian sovereignty” has amassed thousands of signatures.
Police say all the Tesla-related mischief files remain under investigation.
