San Francisco pranksters turn from cow-tipping to car-tipping

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/09/san-francisco-smart-car-tipping

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San Francisco's city dwellers have discovered an urban alternative to 'cow-tipping' – Smart car-tipping.

The city's police are investigating four incidents of tiny Smart cars found pushed over this week, either balancing on their headlights, back bumpers or on their sides. All four were found between 1am and 9am on Monday in the Bernal Heights and Portola neighbourhoods.

Reports of 'cow-tipping' – pranks that involve pushing hapless bovines on to their sides – have circulated in California for years.

It is unclear whether the stunts this week were pranks, or a wider statement on the escalating divisions between Silicon Valley's tech workers, who have been blamed for escalating living costs in San Francisco, and other residents.

Police spokesman Gordon Shyy said the motive for the car-tipping was unknown, adding that the suspects were still at large but would face felony charges if caught.

"It's hard to determine a motive without any suspects identified or in custody," he told the Associated Press.

One witness, Brandon Michael, described seeing a group of up to eight people wearing hooded sweatshirts standing around the cars. "They looked like they were up to no good," Michael told NBC affiliate station KNTV-TV. "And sure enough, they huddled around it and lifted it up."

Michael said the cars had reminded him of "dachshunds sitting up on their hind legs".

Another witness, Shelley Gallivan, told the station she had seen her friend's Smart car turned over. "Whoever is doing this just has misdirected anger," she said.

This is not the first time Smart cars have been targeted by pranksters. In 2009, Canada and Amsterdam saw a wave of Smart car-tipping over a series of months, and a Facebook page was set up dedicated to the stunts.