Tupelo man charged in string of Waymo vandalism incidents

Authorities say Walker Reed Quinn has repeatedly damaged self-driving vehicles since July.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 1:30pm

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An extreme close-up of a shattered car sensor lens reflecting a faint red light, conceptually illustrating the vandalism of self-driving cars.As tensions over autonomous vehicles escalate, a recent wave of targeted street vandalism exposes pent-up frustration with driverless technology.Tupelo Today

A 45-year-old Tupelo man has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of vandalism against Waymo autonomous vehicles in the SoMa neighborhood of San Francisco. Police say Walker Reed Quinn has been involved in at least three separate incidents since July where he has damaged Waymo cars by removing sensors, slashing tires, and stomping on windshields.

Why it matters

Waymo, one of the most prominent self-driving car companies, has faced some backlash from residents in San Francisco's SoMa area, which has historically had high rates of property crime. This case highlights ongoing tensions between autonomous vehicle technology and some members of the local community.

The details

According to police reports, in the first incident on July 4, Quinn allegedly dove onto the hood of a Waymo vehicle and covered its sensors. On July 29, he is accused of damaging the tires and driver's side mirror of another Waymo car. Then on August 11, Quinn allegedly stomped on a Waymo's windshield while someone was inside the vehicle.

  • On July 4, Quinn allegedly dove onto the hood of a Waymo vehicle and covered sensors.
  • On July 29, Quinn allegedly damaged a Waymo's tires and driver's side mirror.
  • On August 11, Quinn allegedly stomped on a windshield while someone was inside.

The players

Waymo

An American autonomous driving company and is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company.

Walker Reed Quinn

A 45-year-old Tupelo resident who has a history of vandalism and was out on bail for prior cases related to Waymo vehicles.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.