Elderly Man Scratches New Tesla with Keys—Sentry Mode Captures It All; Repairs Cost $1,150

An elderly man scratched a brand-new Tesla with his car keys while the vehicle was parked, causing multiple damages to its body. Surveillance footage shows the man walking alongside the car and deliberately scratching it repeatedly with his keys, with some marks penetrating down to the primer. Damaged areas include multiple body panels such as the front and rear fenders and doors, with preliminary estimates placing repair costs at RMB 8,300. At the time of the incident, the Tesla’s Sentry Mode automatically activated and fully recorded the act of vandalism. This feature monitors for unusual activity around the vehicle while it is parked and automatically saves video evidence. The car owner has already filed a police report, and authorities are now investigating the case using the surveillance footage. They will hold the responsible party legally accountable and assist the owner in seeking compensation for damages. Under Chinese law, individuals who intentionally damage another person's property are liable for civil compensation and may also face administrative penalties. If the circumstances are deemed severe, they could be subject to criminal prosecution.