A Tesla dashcam captured a tense late-night scene in west Charlotte on Monday, recording a masked man moving down a row of EV chargers in the Charlotte Water parking lot and slashing tires as he went. Several drivers woke up to multiple flats and disabled cars.
The Tesla owner who recorded the video said he first heard what sounded like tires popping, then spotted someone weaving between charging stalls. By the time he got outside, the damage was already racked up across several vehicles.
The clip shows a masked person carrying a knife and walking from car to car while cutting into tire sidewalls, according to WBTV. Tesla owner Brian Beninati told the station he "opened the door and held a gun at him," and said the suspect bolted after that confrontation.
Police Investigating
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police provided an incident report confirming they are investigating the vandalism, according to WBTV. Beninati told the outlet this was the second time his tires had been cut in roughly 10 days and said four cars were hit, with three or all four tires slashed on each vehicle.
WBTV also reports it is still waiting on a response from Charlotte Water about the status of the chargers at the lot.
Vandalism To Chargers Is Rising Nationwide
The West Charlotte incident is playing out against a broader backdrop of rising vandalism aimed at EV infrastructure and vehicles nationwide. Reports from around the country detail everything from stolen charging cables to intentional damage that knocks stations offline for days.
In Fresno, more than half of the city's public chargers were vandalized in 2024, a wave of damage that pushed officials to encase equipment in steel cabinets, according to ABC30 Fresno.
How Drivers Can Protect Themselves And Evidence
For EV drivers, cameras may end up being as important as cables. Investigators say anyone with dashcam or security footage should save those clips and share them with police so officers can review potential identifying details.
Experts also stress that confronting a suspected vandal in person can quickly turn a property crime into something far more dangerous. While some vehicle owners choose to step in, police urge people to prioritize safety and leave the chasing and catching to law enforcement.
If you were charging at the Charlotte Water lot and have relevant footage, store a copy with the original timestamp before sending it to investigators.
Police are asking for tips as they work to identify the masked suspect, and the incident has left many west Charlotte EV drivers understandably wary of leaving their cars on chargers overnight at that location. This story will be updated as Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police or Charlotte Water release additional information.
