BPD arrest a suspected Tesla vandal

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

BPD responded to Pinebrook Commons around 8:15 p.m. on March 11 and met with three Tesla owners, who reported their cars had been “keyed.” 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. According to the owners’ accounts, detectives concluded that the damage to their cars, estimated at over $11,000, occurred between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Security camera video recorded a black Chevy Trax with a sticker on the rear window circling the parking lot around 7 p.m. The Trax paused for several seconds as it passed the Teslas parked near the 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.

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. Jones was arrested at his home on Thursday night but chose not to speak to the detectives.