Several Tesla vehicles were found marked with swastikas at the carmaker’s Encinitas dealership early March 17, authorities reported.
North Coastal Sheriff’s Station deputies who were on patrol in the area noticed the vandalism at about 5 a.m., according to a San Diego County Sheriff’s Office report. Posts circulated on Encinitas-related social media pages showed photos of the damage.
“Multiple cars were found with swastikas spray-painted on them,” a Sheriff’s Office report stated. “In addition, several windows of the dealership building had also been spray-painted with swastikas and profanity.”
Tesla opened the dealership, at 1302 Encinitas Blvd., in 2024 at the former longtime location of BMW Encinitas.
The dealership drew protesters last month in the wake of Tesla CEO Elon Musk joining the Donald Trump presidency and launching his Department of Government Efficiency operation. Protesters lined the sidewalk outside the dealership on Feb. 15.
The Sheriff’s Office report about the March 17 vandalism did not connect the incident to the February protest. Authorities are investigating the vandalism and have not identified suspects or made arrests, the report stated.
Investigators ask anyone with possible information about the incident to call 858-868-3200.