San Francisco Resident Charged with Vandalizing Waymo Robotaxis

SAN FRANCISCO — Prosecutors have charged an individual with 17 counts of vandalism for slashing the tires of Waymo robotaxis, the autonomous vehicles that have become a cultural flashpoint in San Francisco.

District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced on Thursday that Ronaile Joshua Burton, 36, has been charged in connection with 17 separate incidents of vandalism that occurred over three days, from June 24 to June 26. Each act of vandalism was recorded by cameras installed in the Waymo vehicles, according to the district attorney's office.

In a statement, Waymo confirmed the charges and noted that some incidents involved riders inside the vehicles. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. "We can confirm that charges have been brought against the individual who aggressively vandalized a number of Waymo vehicles, some with riders present. Waymo is also taking steps to recover the damages sustained and mitigate the potential for future events," the company said. "Waymo exists to make our roads safer, and with that in mind, we will always prioritize the safety of our riders and community."

Waymo, originally a Google project, became a standalone entity in 2016. The company's vehicles are equipped with a suite of cameras and other sensors to navigate without human drivers. The Waymo service operates similarly to Uber or Lyft, allowing users to request rides via an app where they can input their destination. Currently, Waymo operates in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles, with plans to expand to Austin, Texas, later this year. GM’s Cruise, a competitor, is in the process of relaunching after a pedestrian collision last year resulted in the revocation of its California permits.

The district attorney's office reported that Burton is currently being held in jail without bail due to the perceived public safety risk. A judge approved the motion to detain Burton, with a court date set for Friday. Burton’s attorney, Deputy Public Defender Adam Birka-White, stated that Burton, who uses she/her pronouns, has pleaded not guilty and requires assistance rather than incarceration. "Ms. Burton is someone in need of help and not jail, which is why our social workers are actively working to identify and secure appropriate services, as we continue to advocate for her release from jail. Ms. Burton has entered pleas of not guilty, and we intend to aggressively fight these charges," Birka-White said. He further criticized the district attorney for prioritizing corporate interests over the needs of vulnerable individuals, stating, "The District Attorney continues to prioritize punishing poor people at the behest of corporations, in this case involving a tech company that is under federal investigation for creating dangerous conditions on our streets."

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced in April that it was investigating Waymo’s self-driving system, and the company issued a software recall last month.

Prosecutors identified Burton’s residence as Castro Valley, a city 25 miles east of San Francisco. However, in videos posted to social media platform X, someone resembling Burton stated that she was homeless and living in San Francisco.

This case highlights the growing tension surrounding driverless taxis as Waymo expands its services. Last year, opponents of robotaxis discovered they could disable the vehicles by placing a traffic cone on the hood, leading to viral images of cone-topped cars circulating on social media. Additionally, in February, a crowd in San Francisco’s Chinatown set a Waymo vehicle ablaze with fireworks, resulting in criminal charges against a 14-year-old boy.

In a recent development, Waymo eliminated its waitlist in San Francisco, allowing any city resident to request a driverless ride through the company's app.