A Brooklyn man is calling for hate crime charges against a suspect who spray-painted a swastika on his Tesla Cybertruck but was released without facing criminal prosecution.

The incident, which took place in broad daylight on a busy Brooklyn street, left 45-year-old Avi Ben Hamo in shock as he watched the suspect, identified as 42-year-old Michael Lewis, deface his $80,000 electric vehicle with the Nazi symbol and the word “Elon.”

42-year-old Michael Lewis arrested in Brooklyn for vandalizing the $80K Tesla Cybertruck of Avi Ben Hamo, who is Jewish.

Hamo caught Lewis doing the hateful act and confronted him. Lewis fled the scene only to return 90 minutes later and get arrested.

Jail Lewis for t*rr*rism. pic.twitter.com/XhFC53Fp0e

— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) March 15, 2025

Ben Hamo, who is Jewish, witnessed the vandalism firsthand from across the street. He saw Lewis park his Subaru, step out, and begin spray-painting his vehicle in what appeared to be an act of protest against Tesla CEO Elon Musk. The confrontation was captured on video, showing Ben Hamo approaching Lewis and questioning his actions while dialing 911. Lewis attempted to flee the scene, but Ben Hamo stood in front of his car, blocking his escape.

Police arrived soon after and arrested Lewis when he returned to his vehicle about 90 minutes later. He was charged with aggravated harassment. However, the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office later declined to pursue further charges, reasoning that no lasting damage was done to the vehicle.

The decision not to escalate the case has outraged Ben Hamo, who insists the act should be classified as a hate crime. “I’m burning inside,” he told the New York Post. “It’s one thing to dislike Elon Musk, but this goes way beyond that. Just because I bought a car, that gives someone the right to do this?”

Ben Hamo is demanding a reassessment of the case, arguing that the swastika was an unmistakable symbol of hate and should be treated accordingly. “This wasn’t just random vandalism—it was a targeted act of hatred, and it shouldn’t be ignored,” he said.

Michael Lewis’ attorney, Mark Luccarelli, issued a statement on his client’s behalf, expressing remorse for the incident. “Mr. Lewis, who is also Jewish, deeply regrets defacing the vehicle and using a hate symbol in his message. He was struggling with personal challenges at the time, and his actions were out of character,” Luccarelli said.

“I don’t feel safe anymore”: Jewish Tesla owner reacts to antisemitic vandalism on his Cybertruck. pic.twitter.com/sg4gaGlzo9

— FOX & Friends (@foxandfriends) March 18, 2025

The incident has also drawn a reaction from Elon Musk, who commented on X (formerly Twitter), sarcastically noting, “Naturally, he drives a Subaru,” a remark that added fuel to the ongoing controversy surrounding protests against him.

The vandalism comes amid growing national demonstrations against Musk, with frothing at the mouth far-leftists targeting his political views and business decisions. The unhinged, deranged, radical left’s protests have escalated into vandalism and violence, including an incident in Oregon where a Tesla showroom was fired upon with an AR-15 rifle.

With tensions rising, Ben Hamo remains determined to seek justice, emphasizing that the case is about more than just his truck. “This is about standing up against hate in every form,” he said. The case remains open, as he continues pushing for the charges to be reconsidered