In a bizarre incident that has captivated the internet, a Tesla Cybertruck owner took matters into their own hands to apprehend a suspected package thief. The renter, who had leased the Cybertruck through the Turo platform, rammed the alleged criminal's car into a tree, using the electric truck as a battering ram. The incident has sparked a heated debate, with some praising the renter's actions as instant karma, while others question the legality and ethics of such a response.

Vigilante Justice or Reckless Endangerment? The Cybertruck Owner's Controversial Takedown

The Cybertruck Rental Incident

The story began when a Cybertruck owner, Stefen Phelps, rented out his vehicle through the Turo platform. The renter, who had the truck from Friday to Monday, was charged around $800 for the short rental period. Little did Phelps know that his Cybertruck would soon be involved in a dramatic and potentially dangerous incident.According to the post on a Cybertruck Facebook group, the renter happened to witness a suspected porch pirate fleeing from the owner's home with a package. In a split-second decision, the renter decided to take matters into their own hands, using the Cybertruck as a weapon to stop the alleged thief.

The Dramatic Confrontation

Footage from the Cybertruck's dash cam and the owner's Ring camera captured the dramatic events that unfolded. The renter, seemingly driven by a sense of vigilante justice, accelerated the Cybertruck and rammed the suspected thief's car, a Genesis G80, into a nearby tree. The impact of the collision was so severe that the Cybertruck and the other vehicle were effectively "sandwiched" together.The owner, Phelps, acknowledged the incident in a follow-up comment, stating that the renter's neighborhood had been experiencing a spate of burglaries in the week leading up to the incident. This may have contributed to the renter's decision to take such drastic action.

Legal Implications and Reactions

The aftermath of the incident has been a mixed bag of reactions. Some forum members cheered on the renter's actions, seeing it as a case of instant karma for the suspected porch pirate. Others, however, expressed concerns about the legality and ethics of using a nearly 7,000-pound Cybertruck as a weapon to apprehend a suspected criminal.Legal experts have speculated that the renter could face criminal charges for their use of the Cybertruck as a weapon, as well as potential civil liability through insurance claims, lawsuits from the alleged thief, or even the property owners affected by the incident. Some have even suggested that the entire incident could have been staged for a viral video.

The Aftermath and Cybertruck Owner's Dilemma

For Phelps, the Cybertruck owner, the incident has left him in a difficult position. Not only is he down a vehicle, but he must also wait for insurance to resolve the matter and for his truck to be repaired. Cybertruck owners have previously complained about long wait times for parts, and it seems this issue persists even months after the vehicle's launch.Phelps' comment on the incident reflects the dilemma he faces: "No risk, no reward," he said, adding, "I hope insurance pays me quick and I can stay out of the courtroom." The question remains whether the few hundred dollars netted from the rental was worth the potential legal and financial headaches that have now arisen.As the dust settles on this bizarre incident, it serves as a cautionary tale for Cybertruck owners and renters alike. The allure of the powerful electric truck may have emboldened the renter to take drastic action, but the consequences of such decisions can be far-reaching and potentially devastating. The case highlights the need for responsible and lawful behavior, even in the face of perceived wrongdoing.