Tesla Sentry Mode Helps FBI Arrest Man Alleged Of Arson, Hate Crimes

Tesla's built-in security system may prove very valuable to investigators.

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Steven Loveday

By: Steven Loveday

Apr 19, 2021 at 9:46am ET

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As law enforcement and government investigators become more familiar with Tesla's built-in dashcam (TeslaCam) and Autopilot-camera-based Sentry Mode security features, they may prove very helpful with solving crimes.

FBI Special Agent Casey Anderson prepared an affidavit last week related to an incident that occurred in December of 2020. It involved alleged tire slashing, arson, and a potential attack against a church. It appears the incidents were motivated by race.

According to the affidavit shared by Teslarati, 44-year-old Dushko Vulchev destroyed the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Massachusetts. This wasn't the first time Vulchev had trouble with the law.

The reported incidents involve several fires at the church, as well as tires of a BMW and Tesla slashed nearby. The Tesla vehicle involved was also missing a wheel. Two earlier fires at the same church were determined to be arson by the authorities. It wasn't until a few weeks later that more fires were set and the church was eventually destroyed. On the day the church was destroyed, a nearby Dodge Charger had its tires slashed.

The authorities have a bunch of video evidence from various security cameras that they believe shows Vulchev involved in the crimes. However, Vulchev may have completely given himself away as he slashed the tires of a Tesla. The car was able to provide the FBI with clear shots of the person they already saw on other videos. The Sentry Mode footage shows Vulchev slashing the Tesla's tires, stealing a wheel, and putting stolen items in the trunk of his Chevrolet Cruze. The Cruze appears in multiple videos related to the case.

Agent Anderson said in his affidavit that he's aware of the Tesla's camera system, and he has reviewed the Sentry Mode videos. He also says he can identify Vulchev in the footage. Anderson shared during an interview via Teslarati:

“The video footage from the Tesla shows Vulchev at a close distance crouching near the Tesla and using a tire iron to remove the wheels. Additional Tesla video footage captured Vulchev removing one of the Tesla’s wheels and placing it in the trunk of Vulchev’s car. Vulchev’s face is clearly visible in the video."

Vulchev and his Chevy Cruze were also seen near the church around the time of the fires and the tire slashings.