Amazing video footage from New Zealand captures the moment a car thief fails to break into a Tesla, showcasing the EV’s “smart handles that have thwarted crime.”
A large man wearing a balaclava tried to enter the car while it was stopped in traffic, as seen in a video posted on Kiwi EV Adventures.
The man quickly exits his white Nissan from the driver’s side as both vehicles come to a halt in traffic.
He then rushes towards the driver’s side of the Tesla as the dashboard cameras switch between rear-view and side-view angles.
The man, dressed in construction worker attire, attempts to open the car door by striking it multiple times, gesturing aggressively at the driver, but fails as the retractable handles offer only a smooth surface.
The brief but intense encounter lasts only 25 seconds before the Tesla driver manages to escape.
Sharing the video on Facebook, the account Kiwi EV Adventures, managed by independent motoring journalist Gavin Shoebridge, wrote, “This Hamburglar attempted and failed to steal a Tesla in New Zealand last night.”
“His fingers couldn’t grip the retracted door handles,” Shoebridge added. “This is not the first time these smart handles have prevented a crime. Well done, Tesla.”
Tesla has received praise over the years for its advanced security features.
‘Sentry Mode’ utilizes cameras and sensors to detect potential threats in the surroundings.
Additionally, Teslas come with features that make it difficult to access the vehicle, including retracting door handles if not used within a minute after extending.
However, Tesla’s high level of security has also presented challenges.
Business Insider reported a case where a TikTok user was stuck in her Tesla for 40 minutes during a software update as temperatures inside the car reached 46°C.
In another incident, a 20-month-old girl was reportedly trapped inside a Tesla Model Y when the vehicle’s battery died unexpectedly during an Arizona heatwave.
Firefighters, who arrived to rescue the child, struggled to open the Tesla and had to use an axe to break the window.
On Reddit, users commented that targeting a Tesla for theft was a poor choice by the unsuccessful car thief.
“Stealing a car that is GPS tracked, has eight cameras recording, and can be stopped by the owner using a phone app is incredibly foolish,” one user remarked.
Another user added, “Breaking into a Tesla in a traditional way is nearly impossible.”
“The windows are made of laminated glass, and the car locks automatically when in motion. It would take a sledgehammer and several minutes to break in. This is not unique to Teslas but applies to many high-end cars,” they explained.
