East Ridge Police Respond to Range of Incidents

Charges include vandalism, drug possession, and driving under the influence

Apr. 7, 2026 at 8:07pm

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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.East Ridge Today

The East Ridge Police Department has been busy over the past week, responding to a variety of incidents ranging from vandalism and drug possession to driving under the influence. Authorities have made several arrests, including a man charged with repeat Waymo vehicle vandalism and a woman arrested on an outstanding warrant for possession of methamphetamine.

Why it matters

These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in the East Ridge community, from property crimes and substance abuse issues to traffic violations that put public safety at risk. The police department's response demonstrates their commitment to addressing a wide range of criminal activity and maintaining order in the city.

The details

In one notable case, a 45-year-old man named Walker Reed Quinn was charged with several incidents of allegedly damaging Waymo autonomous vehicles in the SoMa neighborhood since July, including removing sensors, damaging tires and mirrors, and stomping on a windshield. Elsewhere, police arrested a woman on an outstanding warrant for possession of methamphetamine and took a man into custody for driving under the influence after responding to a possible overdose call.

  • 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 San Francisco 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.