A disturbing incident at Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City has led to the arrest of an 83-year-old Vietnam veteran.
According to Breitbart, Victor Divergilio faces criminal mischief charges for allegedly causing $23,000 in damage to five Tesla vehicles while expressing violent sentiments toward Tesla CEO Elon Musk and President Trump.
The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon when Divergilio allegedly used his keys to scratch multiple Tesla vehicles parked at the shopping center. When confronted with video evidence by law enforcement, he initially denied the vandalism, claiming he was merely checking his money after making a purchase.
Nassau County authorities presented surveillance footage that captured Divergilio's actions at the mall. The criminal complaint documents reveal that during questioning, the suspect launched into an aggressive tirade targeting both Musk and Trump, making threatening statements about both figures.
The damage assessment conducted by local law enforcement estimated the total cost of repairs at $23,000. This figure encompasses all five Tesla vehicles that were targeted in the incident.
Following his arrest, Divergilio underwent an arraignment process at Nassau County Criminal Court on Wednesday morning. The judge ordered a mental health evaluation before releasing him, with his next court appearance scheduled for April 30.
In a subsequent phone interview with the New York Post, Divergilio offered a markedly different version of events. The suspect expressed his dislike for Musk, who currently leads Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, but firmly denied involvement in the vandalism.
During the interview, Divergilio stated:
If I did something against him, it wouldn't be simply scratching their cars. Well, I don't like him but I would never do that.
The suspect, who identified himself as a Vietnam veteran suffering from PTSD, maintained his innocence after his release from jail. He described his detention experience as traumatic, emphasizing that he was treated like a criminal despite his claims of innocence.
The court's decision to mandate a mental health evaluation highlights the complex nature of the case. Medical professionals will assess Divergilio's mental state before further legal proceedings continue.
The incident has drawn attention to the intersection of political tensions and public safety concerns. Local authorities are treating the matter seriously, given the substantial property damage and the threatening nature of the suspect's statements.
Law enforcement officials continue to gather evidence and witness statements to build their case. The surveillance footage from the mall serves as a crucial piece of evidence in the ongoing investigation.
Victor Divergilio, an 83-year-old Long Island resident, stands accused of vandalizing five Tesla vehicles at Roosevelt Field Mall while expressing violent sentiments toward President Trump and Elon Musk. The incident resulted in approximately $23,000 in damage to the vehicles and led to criminal mischief charges against the suspect. Following his arraignment, Divergilio was ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation, with his next court appearance scheduled for April 30, where further legal proceedings will determine the outcome of this politically charged case.
