Why Thieves Are Stealing 1,200lb Tesla Batteries : The 20-Minute "Ghost Chop"

At 3:15 a.m., a Model S is parked in a quiet driveway. 20 minutes later, its 1,200-pound battery pack is gone—while the car itself never moved. Police call it a "Ghost Chop." Stealing a whole Tesla is a dead end thanks to constant GPS tracking and Sentry Mode. But stripping its battery modules and drive units for the booming underground DIY Powerwall market? That’s where millions are being made, and there’s almost no trace. In this investigation, we uncover how chop shops bypass Tesla’s digital locks, why a single battery module sells for $1,500 on eBay, and how these un-trackable parts are fueling an off-grid energy revolution. We also look at Tesla's desperate new battle to secure the EV black market.