Arrest Made in Vandalism of 13 Teslas With Hate Messages

WHO:

NY Post - Max Sebastian Solomon, 25, of Irvine, was arrested.

ABC7 Los Angeles - Irvine Police Department is involved in the investigation.

WHAT:

NY Post - Solomon is facing felony vandalism charges.

ABC7 Los Angeles - 13 Teslas were vandalized with red spray paint, including terms like "Nazi" and "Fascist."

ABC7 Los Angeles - Four Teslas were damaged in one incident, and nine additional Teslas were vandalized in a second incident.

WHERE:

NY Post - The vandalism occurred in a plaza in Irvine, California.

ABC7 Los Angeles - The incidents took place near the LA Fitness gym on Michelson Drive in Irvine.

WHEN:

ABC7 Los Angeles - Surveillance video from around 10:30 p.m. on July 17 shows the vandalism.

ABC7 Los Angeles - The arrest of Solomon occurred on a Tuesday.

WHY:

ABC7 Los Angeles - Solomon has personal beliefs or feelings against Tesla, which motivated the vandalism.

HOW:

ABC7 Los Angeles - Solomon was identified after an officer recalled a previous incident where he allegedly spit on a Tesla while carrying a takeout bag.

ABC7 Los Angeles - Surveillance footage captured Solomon vandalizing the vehicles with spray paint.

(UPDATED July 30, 2026 22:27 UTC)

Max Sebastian Solomon, a 25-year-old from Irvine, has been arrested and is facing felony vandalism charges after allegedly spray painting 13 Teslas with terms like "Nazi" and "Fascist" in a plaza near the LA Fitness gym on Michelson Drive. The vandalism incidents, which occurred on July 17, involved four Teslas being damaged in one incident and nine in another, with surveillance footage capturing Solomon in the act. He was identified by police due to a previous incident where he reportedly spat on a Tesla while carrying a takeout bag, suggesting his actions were motivated by personal beliefs against the car manufacturer.