In the quiet, well-heeled streets of McMahon's Point on Sydney's lower North Shore, a shocking act of vandalism has left residents and the wider Australian community stunned. Garnet Mae, a 52-year-old director, found himself at the centre of a neighbourly dispute that escalated to an act of deliberate damage to his property—a high-end Tesla electric vehicle.


The incident, which unfolded under the cover of darkness, was captured by the inbuilt security cameras of Mr Mae's Tesla. The footage revealed a neighbour approaching the car and, with what appeared to be malicious intent, dragging a key down the side of the vehicle, leaving a trail of damage in their wake.


The next day, Mr Mae confronted the alleged vandal. 'It looks like you keyed my car,' he stated, confronting the man with the evidence. 'My red Tesla. You didn't realise, but the car films. It makes a video, so you keying my car, I have video evidence of you keying my car.'


The neighbour's response was one of denial: 'I was just walking past it.' However, Mr Mae was not convinced, countering with, 'No - you can see that you're deliberately hitting the car with keys.'

In a bid to resolve the matter without involving law enforcement, Mr Mae offered the neighbour the option to compensate for the damage with an $800 payment upfront. He warned that failure to comply would result in a call to the police and potential charges for malicious damage.

The resolution of the incident was captured on camera, with Mr Mae walking away with what appeared to be a ream of cash, stating, '$800 from the neighbour who scratched my Tesla.'


Speaking to the media, Mr Mae provided some background to the alleged incident. He had parked his Tesla in a visitor's spot at a nearby unit complex, with permission from a resident, due to the scarcity of parking on his street. The discovery of the damage the following day was both shocking and disheartening, especially given that the alleged perpetrator was an elderly gentleman.

The incident comes amid a spate of vandalism targeting Tesla vehicles across Australia. Motoring expert James Ward has commented on the polarising nature of the Tesla brand, suggesting that the vandalism may be driven by a complex mix of emotions, including jealousy, spite, and an irrational hatred of Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk.

Mr Ward likened the situation to the early days of Apple MacBook computers, where ownership could evoke a sense of superiority or inferiority, depending on one's perspective. He also noted that while there are other luxury electric vehicles on the market, it seems to be Teslas that are singled out for such acts of vandalism.


This isn't the first time Mr Mae has had trouble with neighbours. He previously made headlines after assisting his brother in a boundary dispute that also escalated to a heated confrontation.

The incident raises questions about the social dynamics of wealth, technology, and community relations. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of respectful neighbourly conduct and the potential consequences of letting disputes get out of hand.

For our readers, particularly those who may own a Tesla or any other vehicle that could become a target, it's worth considering the benefits of security measures such as inbuilt cameras. These devices can serve as both a deterrent and a means of obtaining evidence should the unthinkable happen.

We invite you to share your thoughts and experiences on neighbour disputes, vandalism, and how you protect your property. Have you ever encountered a similar situation? How did you handle it, and what advice would you give to others facing neighbourly tensions? Join the conversation in the comments below.