Authorities said a spree of vandalism targeting autonomous vehicles in San Francisco has led to criminal charges against a Castro Valley man. Ronaile Joshua Burton, 36, has pleaded not guilty to 17 counts of vandalism after being accused of slashing the tires of Waymo self-driving cars, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced.

According to the SF District Attorney's Office, the alleged tire-slashing incidents occurred between June 24 and June 26. All incidents were recorded on the vehicles' onboard cameras. "The destruction of other people's property will not go unaddressed in San Francisco," DA Jenkins stated, asserting that "People who vandalize property must be held accountable for their actions", as per the SF District Attorney's Office.

Court records reveal a connection between these incidents and another case where Burton reportedly damaged a caravan of Waymo vehicles by stabbing the tires. Prosecutors, concerned about the public safety risk posed by Burton, successfully argued to have him detained without bail pending trial.

As Burton remains in custody, the court has set his next appearance tomorrow, focusing on a custody status hearing, with a preliminary hearing on the horizon for July 23. With the investigation still underway, the San Francisco Police Department urges anyone with information to reach out via their Tip Line or Text a Tip service, opening the door for anonymous collaboration with the authorities.