FL Tesla Vandal Charged With Criminal Mischief Has Bond Set At $150K

BRADENTON, FL — A man suspected of vandalizing three Tesla vehicles last month at the Pinebrook Commons shopping plaza on Cortez Road West was arrested at home Thursday night, the Bradenton Police Department said in a news release.

Jeffrey Jones, 48, was charged with three counts of felony criminal mischief. He is in custody at the Manatee County Jail and has a bond set at $150,000, police said.

Officers met with three Tesla owners who reported their cars had been “keyed” at the shopping plaza on March 11 around 8:15 p.m., police said.

Two of the Tesla drivers were parked next to one another near a restaurant, while the third driver was parked on the west side of the parking lot. The damage to their cars happened between 6 and 8 p.m. that evening.

Damage to the cars is estimated at more than $11,000, police said.

Security camera video recorded a black Chevy Trax with a sticker on the rear window circling the parking lot around 7 p.m.

The SUV paused for several seconds as it passed the Teslas parked near a restaurant. The driver then parked on the west side of the plaza, near the third Tesla, walked toward the restaurant, and returned to his vehicle minutes later, police said.

During the investigation, detectives determined that Jones owns a black Trax with a sticker on its rear window. His description also matched the image of the suspect captured by one of the damaged Teslas, investigators said.

Jones chose not to speak to the detectives after his arrest.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Detective William Mulligan at
william.mulligan@bradentonpd.com or 941-932-9313. Submit anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers at manateecrimestoppers.com.