The Centralia Police Department and the FBI are investigating damage to Tesla charging stations in Centralia that occurred early Monday morning.
The Chehalis Police Department is separately investigating vandalism to an electric vehicle charging station in the 700 block of Northwest Arkansas Way that occurred between 3 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. on March 4.
The incident is still under investigation, the Chehalis Police Department confirmed Tuesday.
The charging station was taped off but otherwise appeared undamaged as of Tuesday afternoon, The Chronicle confirmed.
In Centralia, between 3:40 and 4:20 a.m. on Monday, March 10, an unidentified male suspect reportedly spray painted the phrases “Burn Nazi cars” and “Kill Elon” and damaged transformers inside a fenced area at the Tesla charging station located in the 1200 block of Lum Road at the Centralia Outlets, according to the Centralia Police Department.
Approximately half of the Tesla chargers are out of service due to the vandalism.
Officers responded to the scene at approximately 12:20 p.m. on March 10, and a technician is working to restore service to the charging station, according to the Centralia Police Department.
“This is a pretty serious case,” Centralia Police Commander Dave Clary told a Chronicle reporter on Tuesday.
The Centralia Police Department and the FBI are conducting separate investigations into the vandalism at the Centralia Tesla charging station, but are sharing information to aid each other’s investigations, according to Clary.
“This is certainly in their wheelhouse,” Clary said of the FBI’s investigation of this incident, referring to the FBI’s 2022 investigation into a series of attacks at electricity substations in Washington and Oregon.
Tesla showrooms, charging stations and vehicles around the world have been vandalized over the last two months as opposition to Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s recent actions through the federal Department of Government Efficiency.
Musk was a major financial supporter of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and has been central in the administration’s efforts to reduce the size of the federal government.
Peaceful protests opposing Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency, which has slashed federal jobs and funding to federal agencies, have also taken place at many Tesla locations around the country.
No injuries related to the protests or vandalisms have been reported, according to various media outlets.
As Tesla increasingly becomes a political symbol around the world of Trump and Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, Tesla shares have plummeted 45% in 2025 in the wake of low sales in the U.S. and abroad, and on Monday dropped more than 15% to $222.15, the lowest since late October, according to reporting by the Associated Press and FOX Business.
Tesla stock was up about 4.8% as of Tuesday afternoon following President Donald Trump’s social media post defending Musk, calling the Tesla boycotts “illegal,” and his nationally broadcasted purchase of a red Tesla on the White House lawn, according to reporting by FOX Business, CNN and other outlets.
For Tesla owners in Lewis County, Clary said, “I don’t think anyone has to worry about not being able to charge them,” adding that he encourages drivers “to not worry about driving Teslas around our community.”
Clary said that Teslas are “good cars” and that the company has been highly responsive to the vandalism complaints.
Lewis County Commissioner Sean Swope took to social media Tuesday to voice his opposition to the vandalism.
“The destruction in our community is absolutely unacceptable. Vandalism has no place here,” Swope wrote. “Whoever committed this act — burning a generator and leaving such a hateful message — will be found and held accountable, thanks to the dedication of our incredible law enforcement officers. I’m grateful for our Flock Camera system, which helps keep our community safe.”
“This kind of senseless destruction doesn’t just damage property — it harms our local economy. Travelers stop here to charge their vehicles, dine at our restaurants, and shop at our outlet mall. Acts like this discourage visitors and negatively impact local businesses.”
Swope also spoke against using the term “Nazi” to describe Musk.
“Using the term ‘Nazi’ as an insult is not just ignorant — it’s hateful. After recently visiting the Holocaust Museum with my daughter, I was reminded of the true horrors inflicted by the Nazis. Comparing others to them so flippantly is not only offensive but diminishes the suffering of those who endured real atrocities. It’s gross, evil, and should be condemned,” Swope wrote.
He added, “I don’t believe the person who did this actually lives here — this is not something our community does or stands for. If you see something, say something.”
Surveillance footage of the suspect reportedly shows him wearing black and gray clothing and carrying a white bag. His face was reportedly covered by a hood.
Clary said that the Centralia Police Department will utilize the Flock Safety camera system in their search for the suspect if they can identify a vehicle the suspect is associated with.
Clary encouraged anyone who knows the suspect or has any information about the incident to contact the Centralia Police Department at 360-330-7680.
The Chehalis Police Department asks anyone with information about the vandalism to the Tesla charging stations in Chehalis to contact them at 360-748-8605.
