83-year-old vandal scratches 5 Teslas at Long Island mall in tantrum over Elon Musk, Trump: officials

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A scraggly octogenarian allegedly scratched 5 Teslas at a Lengthy Island mall in a tantrum over Elon Musk and President Trump – however he later instructed The Put up it was all a giant mixup.

Victor Divergilio, 83, brought about $23,000 in harm to the automobiles on the Roosevelt Discipline Mall in Backyard Metropolis on Sunday afternoon and allegedly fumed to detectives that Tesla CEO Musk “ought to die” and “so ought to Trump f–king die,” in keeping with a legal grievance.

However he sang a special tune in a quick cellphone interview with The Put up Wednesday.

“If I did one thing in opposition to him, it wouldn’t be merely scratching their automobiles,” he mentioned, referring to Musk — although he admitted he was no fan of the billionaire who has led the Trump administration’s cut-seeking Division of Authorities Effectivity.

“Nicely, I don’t like him however I might by no means try this,” he mentioned.

Divergilio allegedly used a key to carve up the 5 Teslas round 1:50 p.m. however denied doing it when police confirmed him footage that appeared to indicate him scratching the automobiles, the grievance mentioned.

Victor Divergilio, 83, allegedly defaced a number of Teslas exterior a Lengthy Island mall. Nassau County Police Division

“Yeah, that’s me however I wasn’t keying any automobiles,” he mentioned, in keeping with the grievance.

“Yea however I used to be getting my keys as a result of I had simply paid and I wished to see how a lot cash I had.”

He then violently ranted about Musk and President Trump, the grievance mentioned.

“Musk owns Tesla yea, he’s getting thrown out on the finish of the month. He ought to die alright so ought to Trump f–king die,” he allegedly mentioned.

Divergilio was charged with legal mischief and launched at his arraignment in Nassau County Prison Court docket Wednesday morning.

At his arraignment, Divergilio was ordered by a decide to bear a psychological well being analysis.

On Wednesday, he instructed The Put up he had gotten off a bus and was holding groceries and the keys as a result of he generally loses them whereas strolling house.

“I didn’t do what they mentioned. I simply spent a horrible night time in jail like a legal,” mentioned Divergilio, who described himself as a Vietnam veteran who suffers from PTSD.

“I walked via they usually say I scratched the automobiles.”

Victor Divergilio, 83, denied scratching Teslas throughout a Put up interview. Hrach – inventory.adobe.com

Victor Divergilio brought about $23,000 in damages when he scratched 5 model new Teslas exterior the Roosevelt Discipline Mall. Newsday through Getty Pictures