A man in Sydney’s northwest has been charged after allegedly causing more than $10,000 worth of damage in a series of keying incidents.

    According to a statement by the New South Wales Police, a 34-year-old Blacktown man has been charged with six counts of malicious damage, and one count of custody of an offensive implement in a public place.

    Police allege the man is responsible for keying three Teslas, an Audi, a Mercedes-Benz and a Volkswagen Golf between January and February 2024.

    Footage uploaded to Facebook via the Dash Cam Owners Australia page shows the man walking up to what appears to be a Tesla in a covered carpark.

    The footage switches to a side-view camera angle from the Tesla’s ‘Sentry Mode’ system, showing the man taking what looks to be a key down the side of the white vehicle. He then looks back towards the side mirror before walking off.

    The alleged offences took place while the vehicles were parking in shopping centres in Rouse Hill, Box Hill and Schofields.

    Officers arrested the man on Sunday, February 18 after receiving a call from the public about the man in a Schofields shopping centre car park.

    The NSW Police will allege the man had a “three-bladed metal multi-tool” that was on him at the time of his arrest.

    He was due to appear in court today over the charges. Authorities have been advised the repair bill for the vehicles is estimated at more than $10,000.

    Jade Credentino

    Jade Credentino is an automotive journalist currently based in Melbourne, Australia. Jade has had a chance to review a variety of vehicles and particularly enjoys SUVs. She enjoys traveling and going on road trips exploring Australia.

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