An LAPD officer allegedly took more than $700 from a parked Tesla while responding to a call, in a situation that now sounds more like a security camera glitch than a routine police call.
The officer has been placed on administrative leave while the department reviews the incident, the Los Angeles Times reported. The official’s identity has not been made public.
Security cameras tell stories
The alleged theft doesn’t come from speculation… it reportedly comes from video footage.
Security recordings show the officer opening the Tesla door and leaning into the vehicle multiple times while his partner was nearby responding to reports related to the call. At the time, the officer was working overtime in the department’s transportation services unit.
Anyone familiar with Tesla knows that they are basically rolling surveillance systems. Between the built-in cameras and nearby surveillance footage, the chances of quietly flipping through one of them are just as likely as trying to burn out in front of a car party where no one is filming.
A supervisor later reviewed the video, and the officer reportedly searched the vehicle without formal justification.
A suspiciously convenient camera issue
The situation became more suspicious when investigators examined the officer’s body-worn camera.
Video from the device reportedly showed the device turning off before officers began checking the car. In modern policing — where body cameras are supposed to record interactions — this detail immediately raises red flags.
In other words, the only camera that didn’t record happened to be the officer’s body camera.
Owner notices cash missing
Image source: Shutterstock.
The Tesla owner eventually discovered that more than $700 was missing from the car and went directly to the police station where the officer was stationed to report the incident.
After reviewing security footage, supervisors confronted the officer about what they saw.
The officer reportedly admitted taking the money. However, he reportedly claimed he intended to record the cash as evidence but simply forgot to do so.
This explanation raises an obvious question: What evidence?
Authorities said there was no official basis for searching the Tesla in the first place and there was no indication the cash was connected to any crime.
Administrative leave, but not yet charged
The officer has been placed on administrative leave while the department investigates what happened. Despite the admission and video evidence, no criminal charges have been released.
The incident reportedly occurred in South Los Angeles, where the officer is stationed.
Internal investigations like this can take time, especially as departments review body camera data, witness testimony and policy compliance. But the situation has raised eyebrows because of the unusual circumstances; namely, a police officer searching the vehicle without cause and allegedly pocketing money along the way.
Reminder about Hyundai cars
For drivers, the incident is also a reminder of how much technology is built into modern cars. Cars from companies like Tesla can capture surrounding activity with stunning clarity, which is great for catching vandals, parking lot accidents, and the occasional questionable decision-making during an alert.
It’s like having a security system that never blinks – in this case, it could end up playing a central role in determining what happens next.
