Police charge man for allegedly keying Teslas

New South Wales Police has reportedly charged an unnamed man it claimed 'keyed' six vehicles – including three Teslas – in a vandalism spree across northwest Sydney.

Authorities say officers were called to a Schofields Shopping Centre car park on 18 February 2024 where a 34-year-old man was arrested.

Police claim an unnamed caller drew the investigators' attention to the man – with the call coming as authorities previously appealed for public information relating to multiple vehicles that were reportedly damaged at various shopping centre car parks.

The suspected offender was allegedly in possession of “a three-bladed metal multi-tool” found by police during the search process.

Local police say they have charged the man with six counts of malicious damage and “one count of an offensive implement in a public space.”

Police said they were previously investigating six vandalised cars – which include unspecified Audi and Mercedes-Benz models, and a Volkswagen Golf, in addition to the three Tesla vehicles – which were allegedly damaged in January and February 2024 at shopping centre car parks in Box Hill, Rouse Hill, and Schofields.

NSW authorities say the repair costs on the damaged vehicles are estimated to be worth more than $10,000.

The suspected offender was taken into police custody following the arrest and he is expected to face court.

Under NSW law, any individual found to have intentionally damaged another person's property can face a five-year imprisonment sentence.