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| Castro Valley Resident Charged for Vandalizing Waymo Robotaxis in San Francisco Image credit: Government Technology |
A Castro Valley resident was charged Thursday for allegedly slashing the tires of 17 Waymo robotaxis in San Francisco between June 24 and June 26, according to the city’s district attorney. This is the latest incident of Waymo vandalism in the Bay Area, where some residents have expressed frustration with the autonomous vehicles. Prosecutors allege these tire slashings, which occurred in the city’s Tenderloin neighborhood, are connected to another case of robotaxi vandalism involving the same suspect, Ronaile Joshua Burton.
San Francisco has a history of revolting against robotaxis more broadly. In February, a crowd in the city’s Chinatown neighborhood set a Waymo vehicle on fire. Roughly a year ago, other vandals placed traffic cones on top of autonomous vehicles, disabling them.
Waymo’s technology captured the recent tire slashings on video. In an email to TechCrunch, Waymo said the San Francisco Police Department reviewed footage from the robotaxis’ exterior cameras to identify the suspect. “We can confirm that charges have been brought against the individual who aggressively vandalized a number of Waymo vehicles, some with riders present,” said Waymo spokesperson Katherine Barna. The company is also taking steps to recover the damages and prevent future incidents.
“I would like to thank the San Francisco Police Department for their careful investigation in this case,” said San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “The destruction of other people’s property will not go unaddressed in San Francisco. People who vandalize property must be held accountable for their actions.” Burton has pled not guilty to all 17 charges. The damage to each vehicle is estimated at more than $400. Prosecutors placed the suspect in custody with no bail while awaiting trial, citing the “public safety risk” they pose. Her court date is set for Friday, July 12.
Deputy Public Defender Adam Birka-White, representing Burton, stated that his client needs help, not jail. The public defender’s office intends to aggressively fight these charges, criticizing the District Attorney’s office for prioritizing the punishment of poor people at the behest of corporations.
Waymo says it carefully reviews any requests from law enforcement before handing over its vehicles’ videos. The company challenges, limits, or rejects requests that do not have a valid legal basis or are overbroad. The San Francisco District Attorney’s office declined to comment further.
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