A Texas man now faces felony charges after allegedly targeting Tesla vehicles in a brazen 4-wheeler rampage, carving “ELON” into damaged cars. The incident comes amid a nationwide surge in anti-Tesla attacks that have prompted a strong federal response from the Trump administration. And yet, the Democrats still say this is nothing to worry about…
At a glance:
• Demarqeyun Marquize Cox allegedly rammed his 4-wheeler ATV into multiple Tesla vehicles in Texarkana, Texas
• Tesla’s “Sentry Mode” surveillance feature captured the vandalism, leading to Cox’s arrest
• The suspect carved “ELON” into at least two vehicles, referencing Tesla CEO Elon Musk
• Cox, who has a prior domestic violence conviction, provided false identification when stopped by police
• The FBI has formed a special task force to address the rising wave of attacks against Tesla properties nationwide
Tesla’s Sentry Mode Catches Vandal in the Act
Demarqeyun Marquize Cox has been charged with felony criminal mischief after allegedly using a 4-wheeler to intentionally damage multiple Tesla vehicles in Texarkana, Texas. The 29-year-old suspect was caught on camera thanks to Tesla’s built-in “Sentry Mode” security feature, which automatically records when it detects potential threats to the vehicle.
The incident began in the parking lot of a Golden Palace Chinese buffet, where Cox allegedly rammed his ATV into a Tesla’s front driver-side door, causing over $1,000 in damage. Owner Virita Carstaffin received an immediate phone notification about the attack, allowing her to provide police with crucial video evidence.
Part of Larger Anti-Tesla Movement
Police were called after a second Tesla was damaged at a nearby Lowe’s, with authorities eventually finding a third vehicle that had also been vandalized. Investigation revealed that the suspect had carved “ELON” into at least two of the damaged vehicles, making a clear reference to Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
Texarkana Police Public Information Officer Shawn Vaughn stated: “Based on what they had seen in the video they knew for a fact that he was the one who at least hit the initial Tesla.”
When police finally stopped Cox, he reportedly provided false identification information, adding another charge to his growing legal troubles.
Cox is currently being held at the Bi-State Justice Center on a $105,000 bond. He faces felony criminal mischief charges for the first Tesla damage, with additional charges likely as the investigation into the other vandalized vehicles continues.
Federal Response to “Domestic Terrorism”
The Texarkana incident is part of a troubling nationwide pattern of attacks against Tesla vehicles and facilities, which have increased since Elon Musk’s open support for President Trump and his administration. These attacks have included arson, vandalism featuring anti-Trump messages, and antisemitic graffiti targeting the electric vehicle manufacturer.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has been consistent about the federal government’s stance on these attacks, labeling them “domestic terrorism.” Bondi recently charged three individuals for separate attacks on Tesla properties, with the suspects now facing potential prison sentences ranging from 5 to 20 years.
