LOS ANGELES — A shirtless man was arrested Saturday afternoon after allegedly vandalizing a Waymo self-driving vehicle in the middle of a busy East Hollywood intersection, drawing the attention of passing motorists and pedestrians as the unusual incident unfolded in broad daylight.
Videos shared online captured the man climbing onto the autonomous vehicle, damaging its windshield and tearing apart components from the roof while shouting at nearby traffic. The incident temporarily disrupted traffic before Los Angeles police officers arrived and took the suspect into custody.
Dramatic Video Shows Man Climbing Onto Driverless Vehicle
Footage posted to the Citizen app shows the shirtless man sitting inside the Waymo’s shattered windshield at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Edgemont Street.
Moments later, the man is seen climbing onto the roof of the self-driving vehicle, where he begins pulling apart internal components while yelling toward vehicles passing through the intersection.
The bizarre scene quickly attracted attention from nearby drivers and witnesses, many of whom recorded the incident on their phones as traffic slowed around the damaged autonomous vehicle.
Police Responded Within Minutes
According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), officers responded to reports of the incident at approximately 1:35 p.m. Saturday.
Police arrived at the intersection and safely took the man into custody without any additional reported injuries. Video from the scene shows officers surrounding the suspect before placing him under arrest.
Authorities have not yet released the suspect’s identity or announced what criminal charges, if any, may be filed.
KTLA has requested additional information from the Los Angeles Police Department regarding the investigation and is awaiting further details.
Waymo Yet to Comment on Incident
Representatives for Waymo were also contacted following the incident but had not immediately issued a public statement regarding the damage to the company’s autonomous vehicle.
It remains unclear how extensive the damage is or whether the vehicle was transporting passengers when the vandalism occurred.
Officials have not indicated whether the self-driving vehicle experienced any mechanical failures before the incident or if it was simply stopped at the intersection when the man climbed aboard.
Driverless Cars Continue to Face Vandalism
Waymo significantly expanded its autonomous ride-hailing service across Los Angeles in June 2025, increasing the number of driverless vehicles operating throughout the city.
While many riders have embraced the technology, the vehicles have also faced criticism from some residents who argue they contribute to congestion in already crowded urban areas.
The self-driving cars have increasingly become targets of vandalism and disruptive behavior. In recent months, several incidents involving Waymo vehicles have gained attention on social media, including one in which a group of teenagers was seen hanging out of the windows of a moving Waymo SUV while it traveled through busy streets in Santa Monica.
The repeated incidents have raised questions about the unique challenges autonomous vehicle companies face when operating in densely populated cities.
Investigation Remains Ongoing
Authorities have not announced what may have motivated Saturday’s vandalism, and investigators are expected to review video footage from the scene as part of the ongoing investigation.
Police have also not confirmed whether anyone inside the Waymo vehicle was injured or whether additional property was damaged during the incident.
As the investigation continues, officials are expected to determine the full extent of the damage and whether further charges will be filed against the suspect.
The allegations surrounding the incident are based on preliminary information released by authorities. Additional details may emerge as the investigation progresses.
What are your thoughts on the growing use of self-driving vehicles in major cities? Should vandalism against autonomous cars carry stricter penalties? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.
