A Roslindale man has been arrested and charged with tagging Tesla vehicles with Elon Musk stickers, according to Brookline Police who thanked the public for helping ID him.
Harrison Grant Randall, 39, has been charged with six counts of defacing property in Brookline.
His arrest comes after Brookline Police posted a video of the suspect accused of tagging Teslas with Musk stickers. The suspect who was riding around on his bike Sunday afternoon in the Brookline Village area claimed he had the right to deface others’ property based on “free speech.”
“It’s my free speech,” the man who had a Palestinian flag on his bike told one of the victims who confronted him.
After Brookline Police posted the video on Tuesday, the department said officers received phone calls, emails and DMs with tips and valuable information.
“One particular Instagram follower called us and reported seeing this very person on Chestnut Hill Ave,” police said in a statement. “Our officers responded and were able to stop and identify the man. Detectives were provided this information and will continue their investigation.
“On behalf of the BPD public information team, as well as Chief Paster, I just want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our followers,” police added. “You’ve have proven once again the value of our social media pages and continue to solidify our police community bond. Thank you.”
This arrest comes as state fire investigators report that a Tesla charging station was reportedly intentionally set on fire early Monday.
The Littleton Fire Department and Littleton Police Department responded to the Tesla Supercharger on Constitution Avenue just after 1 a.m. following a report from a neighbor who saw the fire.
Upon arrival, firefighters saw seven chargers with heavy fire damage. After the Littleton Electric Light & Water Department cut power to the devices, they quickly extinguished the fire and notified the State Police Fire Investigation Unit assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office.
Based on evidence at the scene, fire investigators determined that the fire had been intentionally set. Their investigation remains open and active.
This incident comes amid anti-DOGE protests at Musk’s Tesla stores, and after reports of vandalism against Tesla dealerships.
In Colorado, federal prosecutors charged a woman in connection with a string of vandalism against a Tesla dealership, which included Molotov cocktails being thrown at vehicles and the words “Nazi cars” spray painted on the building — along with a message that appeared directed at Musk.
President Trump and cost-costing chief Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, have been moving to slash the size of the federal government through large-scale layoffs, contract cancellations and other moves.
Demonstrators have been gathering outside Tesla stores to protest the automaker’s billionaire CEO, and his push to slash government spending.
Critics of Trump and Musk hope to discourage and stigmatize purchases of Tesla, the electric car company that is the world’s most valuable automaker. Liberal groups for weeks have organized anti-Tesla protests in hopes of galvanizing opposition to Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency and energizing Democrats still demoralized by Trump’s November victory.
Anyone with information on the Littleton fire – including anyone who made observations of people or vehicles in the area – is being asked to share it with the Arson Watch Reward Program Hotline at 1-800-682-9229.
The Arson Watch Reward Program is coordinated by the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association. It provides rewards of up to $5,000 for information that helps solve, detect, or prevent arson crimes. Tipsters can remain anonymous if they wish.
Herald wire services were used in this report.