Seattle police caught a man involved in a drive-by shooting after a Tesla parked nearby captured the crime on its cameras. Sentry Mode recorded the suspect crouching behind a vehicle and firing shots before running to another car and driving away. Police used the footage to ID and arrest him within an hour and the suspect now faces charges for shooting and for having a firearm illegally.
Sentry Mode uses cameras on a Tesla to track action around the car when parked. If noise or motion triggers the system, it starts recording. Owners keep the video on a USB stick in the glove box. Police get access by asking owners or getting a warrant. Sometimes, if owners can’t be reached, cops tow cars from crime scenes to recover the video.
Growing use in crime cases
Seattle is just one place where police solve cases using Tesla footage. Oakland police have used Sentry Mode to help investigations, such as when officers got a warrant to tow a car for recordings after a murder occurred nearby. In one case, Sentry Mode video provided clear evidence in the killing of a 27-year-old woman, which helped officers arrest suspects quickly.
Other crimes solved with Tesla cameras
Sentry Mode helps with other crime types too. It has caught theft, road rage, and hate crimes. Some vandals key Teslas, not knowing they’re being filmed. Law enforcement says “Teslas… record, so we use that video all the time in these instances.” The Oakland Police Department often looks for Teslas parked near crime scenes for possible evidence.
Tesla uses external cameras on all models for Sentry Mode. They trigger when things appear unusual near the vehicle. Police know how to ask for or lawfully get footage.
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